1. W
ithin the local government sector twinning or sister
city relations is one area where local becomes global,
as relationships become drivers of investment, student
exchange, civic learning and cultural diversity.
Working with local authorities on the island of Ireland and with
cities in the USA, Dublin City Council’s International Relations
Division hosted the US-Ireland Sister Cities Summit in Dublin.
The summit was the first of its kind in the world to identify
projects and actions that cities can take together to improve business,
education and social justice. It also marked 30 years of twinning
between the Irish capital and San Jose in California.
The theme of ‘Independence & Interdependence’ was chosen to
mark the centenary of 1916.The drivers for the Summit were Peter
Finnegan, Dublin City Council’s Director of International Relations,
and his San Jose counterpart Stephen Tim Quigley, incoming Chair of
Sister Cities International.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
The event focused on celebrating and realising practical results from
sister city relationships. Up to 32 US cities sent delegates to connect
with their counterparts from 16 cities and counties here in Ireland.
The journey took delegates to their sister Irish county and onwards
to Dublin for the Summit at City Hall on 21-24 April; where up to 350
delegates from the US and Ireland participated in a well-organised,
fast-paced and stimulating event.
Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, who was presented with Spirit of Ireland
Award by San Jose, spoke about the power of sister cities in sharing
expertise, supporting investment, and stimulating innovation. He
praised the courage of Dublin’s International Relations and San Jose
in turning the spotlight on this important role for local government.
Having formally welcomed delegates to the conference session
of the Summit in Croke Park, Dublin’s Lord Mayor took part in the
Mayor’s Panel. While the Summit focused on US-Ireland cities and
counties, the presence of the Mayors of Dublin’s sister cities of
Guadalajara (Mexico) and Liverpool emphasised the global nature of
the sister city movement.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
During his address, President Michael D. Higgins raised the issue
of global challenges of sustainability and migration. He stressed the
importance of cities collaborating and sharing solutions to shared
challenges.
“Cities are not just the heart and centre of global economic
SISTER CITIES SUMMIT
DUBLIN HOSTS CITIES
SUMMIT ON TWINNING
Internships for council staff in other cities, application of technology to solve urban challenges,
student scholarships, tourism promotion, and sporting and library connections were just some
of the projects considered at the recent US-Ireland Sister Cities Summit, hosted by Dublin City
Council’s International Relations Division.
President Michael D Higgins pictured with Dublin’s Lord Mayor Críona
Ní Dhálaigh, Tim Quigley, San Jose, and Peter Finnegan, Dublin.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who received the Spirit of Ireland Award from
San Jose, is congratulated by Gerald Brady from Silicon Valley Bank.
Peter Finnegan introduces President Higgins to the 350 delegates.

2. SISTER CITIES SUMMIT
activity, they are also key sources and well-
springs of social and political change,” the
President noted.
The performance by Fusion – a Belfast
music and theatre performance – awakened
minds after lunch, as it addressed the
Troubles and the path to peace.
Over 30 panelists from business,
local government, social action groups,
education and culture stimulated debate.
This focused on how cities/counties can
facilitate cultural understanding, urban
solutions and economic development.
Practical projects were highlighted
and new projects suggested. Kildare and
Lexington Kentucky have linked their
equine industries, and have also started
dialogue between schools using Skype.
The need to engage in new ways
with young people in the US beyond
the traditional diaspora, defined by Irish
parentage, was explored on a panel led by
the US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley.
CO-OPERATION IS KEY
Meanwhile, Gerald Brady of Silicon
Valley Bank explained why Dublin’s links
with San Jose had influenced the bank in
establishing a presence here with a €100
million fund to support Irish start-ups.
Panelists who contributed ideas for
co-operation included the Deputy Lord
Mayor of Belfast, chief executives of Cork
City Council and Newry/Mourne/Down
Council, Jenny Willis (Willis Clan), Senator
Lynn Ruane, Paypal’s Louise Phelan, Mary
Kane, CEO of Sister Cities International, and
UCD’s Prof Orla Feely. The debate covered
social justice, business and enterprise
development, and education and youth.
The closing session focused on the
‘Power of Culture to Transform Lives’, with
RTE’s John Kelly moderating. His panel
proved informative and challenging with
inputs from Senator Fiach MacConghail,
Abbey Director, Film Producer Jim
Sheridan, Singer Roisin O and San Jose
Cinequest founder Kathleen Powell.
The day drew to a close with a powerful
musical rendition from the High Hopes
Choir, while the Willis Clan from Belfast’s
sister city of Nashville played at the Summit
Dinner. The GAA sponsored delegates’
attendance at the football games and the
Laochra pageant on 24 April. For many of
the US visitors this was their first exposure
to Gaelic Games.
However, the
conversations were
not confined to
Croke Park. The event
trended on Twitter
for five hours, with
a tweet reach of
68,400 and over 275
other Twitter users
engaged in an online
discussion around
the content at www.
dublin2016.ie, where
the video footage can
be accessed.
PROJECT IDEAS
Some project ideas
included support for
student scholarships,
internships for
council staff in other
cities, technology
application for solving
urban challenges,
secondary school
engagement, tourism
promotion, and
sporting and library
connections.
There was a call for Irish Local Government
to secure the practical outcomes by:
1) Forming a network/association on an
all-island basis and link with the USA Sister
Cities International.
2) Strengthening the involvement of key
stakeholders in business, education, culture
and community within individual sister city
committees. The model developed in the
USA is an example.
3) Developing exchange between staff to
support learning and sharing of solutions to
urban challenges.
HUGE TEAM EFFORT
Peter Finnegan said that elected members,
officials, business, education, and
community interests in Ireland and the
USA, along with the staff in International
Relations, put in a huge team effort.
“Too often the media casts doubt on the
value of these city-to-city connections. The
range of practical projects and activities
happening proves the worth in economic,
social and global branding of cities.”
TWINNING DECISIONS
Twining decisions remain a function of
councillors and the decision to host this
Summit had the support of Dublin City
councillors. The event was supported by
elected members and senior officials across
Ireland.
Mayors and councillors from different
traditions were determined to gain
practical benefits of sister city/twinning, for
the economy, social integration and local
people.
With a major focus on reshaping
and securing benefits by city-to-city co-
operation, the event served to prove
the value of Dublin having a dedicated
International Relations Office. The Office
promoted the Summit through the Irish
Embassy network in the US and through
Irish and US associations.
A bond was formed with Sister Cities
International, which celebrates its 60th
anniversary as a global citizen diplomacy
movement for peace and progress.
Talk has now turned to another Summit
in two years, with Belfast expressing interest
in co-hosting with Boston and Nashville.
Dublin’s Lord Mayor Críona Ní Dhálaigh greets San Jose Deputy Mayor
Rose Herrera and Mary Kane CEO Sister Cities International from
Washington DC.
Nashville and Belfast sister cities delegates give the Summit a thumbs
up!