International Relations

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The Obu-Port Phillip Sister City Relationship

'Sister Cities' is a concept where towns or cities from geographically & politically distinct areas are paired, with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links.

The Cities of Port Phillip and Obu officially became sister cities on 20 November 1993, with the official signing of the agreement taking place at St Kilda Town Hall. A delegation of citizens and officials from both cities were present. This followed a previously established sister state relationship between the state of Victoria and the prefecture of Aichi, and a sister school relationship between Elwood College and Obu Higashi Senior School.

In 1995 a re-signing of the sister city agreement took place in Obu. Since then, there have been many exchanges and activities, which have served to strengthen these ties.  

Why Sister Cities?

The Sister Cities movement is a worldwide movement that aims to diminish conflict by encouraging meaningful links and friendships between residents of ‘sister’ cities.  The Sister City Movement helps to facilitate friendship links between diverse communities throughout the world, with the aim of increasing understanding and fostering world peace. Other benefits include educational and cultural exchanges, professional collaborations, tourism, investment, and trade.  

‘The Sister City Program is an important resource to the negotiations of governments, in letting people themselves give expression to their common desire for friendship, goodwill and cooperation for a better world for all’. - Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America