Sister City Association of Chattanooga is a group of volunteers interested in establishing meaningful and lasting global friendships through cultural, educational, institutional and commercial exchanges. We believe that such interaction is important in developing long term friendships between the residents of the sister cities while underscoring regional similarities and differences. The citizens of both communities benefit from this kind of shared realization – and the outcome is usually a better world for us and future generations.

This wonderful concept was started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He believed that the only road to peace in the future rested in the hearts and minds of the people. U.S. cities could develop formal partnerships with international cities to exchange information and ideas in order to build friendships and understand cultural differences. In 1956, the sister city concept was launched, and a program to fulfill his dream of world peace through citizen involvement was begun. By uniting communities committed to learning about each other, people can bridge the barriers of distance, language, and culture to meet as individuals. Sister Cities is the channel for communication and cultural exchange by all citizens, transcending both formal diplomacy and transitory interests of national governments.

Since 1975, Chattanooga has developed Sister City partnerships with six cities:
Wolfsburg, Germany
Hamm, Germany
Wuxi, China
Givatayim, Israel
Nizhnii Tagil, Russia
Gangneung, Republic of Korea