- On February 1, the Maryland Sister States Program held its Annual Legislative Reception, a celebration of current initiatives between all of the Sister States relationships.
- Maryland currently has 19 Sister State relationships in 17 countries and several upcoming relationships. This event was attended by over 200 people, including the Lieutenant Governor and several Consular Generals from embassies in Washington, DC.
- Maryland – Negev, Israel Sister State Committee - Members of the Maryland – Negev, Israel Sister State Committee helped organize an advance screening of “The Zookeeper’s Wife” at the Arclight Cinema in Bethesda for a packed house of 142 guests.
The Maryland Sister States Program, a program in the International Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, was established to provide a forum for the promotion of international cooperation and understanding. Through broad-based citizen participation in a wide variety of exchanges in areas of mutual interest, the Sister States Program offers countless opportunities to develop partnerships around the world. The Maryland Sister States Program was established in 1980 and currently includes 19 relationships in 17 countries.
The Maryland Sister States Program partners with the Sister States of Maryland, Inc., a private, not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Maryland. The Maryland Sister States Program relies on the Sister States of Maryland, Inc.’s extensive network of representative volunteer committees for development of the Maryland’s Sister State relationships. Together with the Sister States of Maryland, Inc., the Maryland Sister States Program draws upon the expertise and experience of individuals from institutions, businesses, and organizations across Maryland to support these important subnational partnerships. When added to their overseas counterparts, these committees form a powerful network both at home and abroad for fostering public/private cross-fertilization and social and economic growth.
Sister States relationships are significant in an age in which state and regional governments have an increasingly greater role in events. By giving access to policy makers, the people-to-people contacts of the Sister States Program add a human dimension to governmental interaction. They help to create a friendly and receptive climate for developing multi-faceted ties in today’s closely integrated but highly competitive environment.
For questions or information, please contact Mary E. Nitsch, Director of International Affairs by phone: 410-260-3865 or e-mail: mary.nitsch@maryland.gov
Maryland’s Sister State Relationships:
- Anhui Province, China 1980
- Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan 1981
- Nord-Pas de Calais, France 1981
- Walloon Region, Belgium 1989
- Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea 1991
- Lodz Region, Poland 1993
- Leningrad Oblast, Russia 1993
- State of Jalisco, Mexico 1993
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1999
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- Bong and Maryland Counties, Liberia 2007
- Harju County, Estonia 2009
- Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam 2011
- Kocaeli, Turkey 2012
- County Cork, Ireland 2013
- Ondo and Cross River States, Nigeria 2013
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2015
- Negev Administrative District, Israel 2016
- Jeollanamdo, South Korea 2017
- Piura Region, Peru, anticipated 2017
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