Sister Cities Association of Sarasota
We promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time.
Welcome to Sister Cities Association of Sarasota
The Sister Cities program was the vision of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had seen first-hand the ravages of World War II, created the people-to-people program of citizen diplomacy in 1956.
Sarasota formalized its first sister city in 1963.
Sister Cities Association of Sarasota is an all-volunteer citizen diplomacy organization that works outside the realm of government, but with its support, to create a wealth of lasting friendships—one at a time—to foster world peace.
Each year, more than 100 local citizen diplomats from our Cultural Coast travel to our sister cities in the name of friendship, world peace, and global prosperity. Many more citizens from our international sister cities visit Sarasota and surrounding areas.
We believe that all people can help create understanding between nations and promote world peace.
Our Sister Cities
The mission of Sister Cities Association of Sarasota (SCAS) is to foster international relationships between Sarasota and our Friendship and Sister Cities overseas by creating exchanges in the areas of culture, education, tourism, business and government. Learn more about our Sister Cities below.
Dunfermline, Scotland
Sarasota, Florida, was first chartered by a group of Scottish businessmen in 1903. Dunfermline, Scotland, became Sarasota’s fifth sister city in signing ceremonies at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in October 2002.
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Mérida is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatán, the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Mexico City. It is located in the northwest part of the state, about 35 km (22 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico.
Tel Mond, Israel
In 1929, a group headed by Alfred Mond, a British industrialist and former Minister of Health who had taken a keen interest in Israel’s pre-independence development, purchased land in the Sharon Valley.
Upcoming Events
SCAS hosts multiple events every month for our members and the general public of Sarasota. Find information about our upcoming events below.
Jewish Refugees in Shanghai During World War II
December 5, 5pM-6PM, selby library, free
Shanghai China became an unusual destination for 18,000 Jewish refugees escaping Holocaust during WWII. Qiang Fitzgerald will begin the talk by presenting information on this interesting piece of history and Kun Shi, City Director of Xiamen, China will speak about his friendship with a Jewish refugee who recently passed away.
News
See the latest happenings from SCAS
