Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission

What is the Sister City Commission?

Saying hello to the world is the role of the Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission. It is comprised of members from the City of Des Moines, and from the participating suburbs of West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Johnston, and Ankeny. Members of the commission are appointed by mayors and councils of their respective cities. The Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission initiates business, cultural, educational, and social exchanges between our citizens and those of our sister cities.

Who Serves on the Sister City Commission?

The Commission helps start dialogues between people with similar interests and needs in the areas of business, industry, culture, and governments. For more information - click here.

To view a list of current members of the Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission - click here.

To view the current meeting schedule and minutes of previous meetings - click here.

In August of 2001, Sister Cities International (SCI) and Friendship Force International (FFI) signed a partnership agreement. To find out more about FFI in Washington, DC go to www.thefriendshipforce.org.

To contact the Greater Des Moines Friendship Force Club - 1620 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50314, phone 515-277-9595.

Who are our Sister Cities?

Our sister cities were chosen because of their close resemblance to metropolitan Des Moines in demographics, economics and geography.

Kofu, Japan (August 16, 1958)

Kofu, the capitol of Yamanshi Prefecture, is located in the Kofu Basin with the Chichibu and Tami mountains to the east and north, the Japan Alps to the west and Mount Fuji to the south. Kofu is a two-hour train ride from Tokyo and is famous for its hot springs, vineyards, and crystal.
Naucalpan, Mexico (May 4, 1972)

Naucalpan is our closest Sister City. It's located northwest and adjacent to the Federal District of Mexico City in one of the country's most important manufacturing areas. Pharmaceuticals and perishable goods are the city's prime industries, followed by a strong import economy.
Saint-Etienne, France (May 29, 1985)

Saint-Etienne is located thirty miles south of Lyon, in the valley of the Furan river, between the valleys of the Loire and the Rhone. The city has existed since the 11th century, and has survived plagues, wars, and economic transition to become the ninths largest city in France. Saint-Etienne University offers a full range of courses, with specialized instruction in technical fields being offered at six other local institutes.
Shijiazhuang, China (August 8, 1985)

The capital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang is a vital transportation link connecting the principal railway between Beijing and Gwangung. It's located southwest of Beijing between the Taihang mountains and the central Hebei plains. Although, it's a comparatively new city, Shijiazhuang has a broadly developed economic base which emphasizes the production of textiles, chemicals, and machinery. The land surrounding the city is fertile and well irrigated, and produces wheat, cotton, and a variety of fresh fruits.
- Concert Reunites Students from West Des Moines and China
- October 2005 Mayor's Visit to Shijiazhuang
Stavropol, Russia (July 27, 1992)

Stavropol, located on the mountain slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, is the capital city of Stavropol, Krai (Iowa's Sister State). The City of Stavropol was founded in 1777 as one of a series of fortresses stretching from the Don to the Terek River between the Black and Caspian Seas. The City is a center for agriculture, government, trade, education, manufacturing, and many institutions of higher education.
Provincia di Catanzaro (June 26, 2006)

Provincia di Catanzaro is a province in the Calabria region of Italy. The city of Catanzaro is the capital of the province and the region. Calabria is the tip of the Italian peninsula. The Province of Catanzaro has an area of 923 sq mi, and a total population of 369,578 (2001). There are 80 communities in the province.

Calabria is one of the most heavily wooded areas in Italy. Crops include: wheat, egg plants, tomatoes, onions, watermelons, beans, peppers, sugar beets, potatoes, olives, oranges, bergamots and wine grapes. Industry includes: construction, foods (sugar refineries, oil mills, wine growing-making), chemicals, textiles, cement works, metalworking, engineering, wood processing and papermaking. Certain craft industries (fabrics, lace, ceramics, woodworking) are still significant.