Pasadena sister city partnerships connect our community with six cities on three continents. The first began in 1948 with Ludwigshafen, Germany. The newest, with Dakar-Plateau, Senegal, is our most recent bond. Here is a quick guide to each one, and how you can take part.
What is a sister city?
A sister city is a long-term friendship between two communities in different countries. The idea grew from President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1956 people-to-people program, which became Sister Cities International. You can read that story on our Organization Origins page.
The Pasadena Sister Cities Committee (PSCC) is an official committee of the City of Pasadena. Most of its programs are funded through fundraising by our volunteer members. Those funds help host visiting delegations, arrange cultural exchanges and support student exchange programs.
Our six sister cities
| Year | Sister city | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Ludwigshafen | Germany |
| 1957 | Mishima | Japan |
| 1983 | Järvenpää | Finland |
| 1991 | Vanadzor | Armenia |
| 1999 | Xicheng | China |
| 2018 | Dakar-Plateau | Senegal |
PSCC also has a Mexico Friendship City subcommittee.
A subcommittee for every city
Each sister city has its own PSCC subcommittee. Subcommittee chairs email members a schedule of their monthly meeting. As a PSCC member, you can join any subcommittee you like, or several. See the full list on our Meetings page.
Friendship you can see
Our newest partnership is already reaching classrooms. Students at Norma Coombs Elementary School in Pasadena exchange letters with pen pals in Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. Read more on our Travel & Penpal Program page.
Frequently asked questions
Six: Ludwigshafen (Germany), Mishima (Japan), Järvenpää (Finland), Vanadzor (Armenia), Xicheng (China) and Dakar-Plateau (Senegal).
Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1948.
Yes. Every sister city has a PSCC subcommittee, and members can join any of them.
Find your city. Become a PSCC member and join the subcommittee for the sister city that interests you most.
Join us in building global friendship.
Whether you become a member, volunteer, or simply attend an event — every bit of involvement helps strengthen Pasadena's ties to the world.