Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between communities in the United States and those in other countries, particularly through the establishment of "sister cities"—broad, long-term agreements formally recognized by civic leaders. Its mission is to "build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development". A total of 1,800 cities, states, and counties are partnered in 138 countries worldwide. As the official organization that links jurisdictions in the U.S. with communities worldwide, Sister Cities International recognizes, registers, and coordinates relationships between cities, counties, provinces, and other subnational political divisions at various levels. The U.S. sister city program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to-people, citizen diplomacy initiative. Originally a program of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967, due to the growth and popularity of the U.S. program. Sister Cities program The Sister Cities program is designed as means for cultural exchange. A community of any size decides to join with a community in another nation to learn more about one another. Therefore, a sister city, country, oblast, prefecture, province, region, state, territory, town, or village relationship is a broad-based, officially approved, long-term partnership between two communities. Sister City relationships begin for a variety of reasons. Generally sister city partnerships share similar demographics and town size. Partnerships may arise from business connections, travel, similar industries, diaspora communities, or shared history. For example, Portland, Oregon and Bologna, Italy’s partnership arose from shared industries in biotechnology and education, an appreciation for the arts, and a “similar attitude towards food”, whereas Chicago’s link with Warsaw, Poland began with the city’s historic Polish community. Sister Cities International also recognizes "Friendship City" affiliations. These are a less formal arrangement that may be a step towards a full Sister City affiliation. 'Friendship City' is also the Chinese term for 'Sister City'. Mission and goals The organization's mission is to "promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time." Sister Cities International's stated goals are to: Develop municipal partnerships between U.S. cities, counties, and states and similar jurisdictions in other nations. Provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships. Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened. Stimulate environments through