Zomba, Malawi

Relationship established

2008

Overview

The City of Urbana is proud to partner with Zomba, Malawi through the Sister Cities International program. This not-for-profit organization oversees the U.S. Sister Cities program, which traces its roots to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a People-to-People citizen diplomacy initiative. 

Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International (SCI) became a separate, non-profit corporation in 1967 due to the tremendous popularity of the U.S. program. The program offers grants, publications, coordinators to assist in developing the sister city relationship, conferences, awards, and other support programs that strengthen and enhance international relationships for hundreds of cities throughout the world.

News

•  Urbana participates in World AIDS Day. Read more.

• Sister Cities International has awarded a two-year, $115,000 grant to the city of Urbana, Illinois to perform projects that address sanitation, health, and water issues in urban areas of Africa. This project is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read more

Vision

For the people of the two communities to enjoy lasting friendship and prosperity in peace, freedom and dignity.

Goals

To mutually improve the economic, social and cultural well being of the two communities through the following activities: increasing our understanding of each other’s communities and ways of life, exchanging experience and best practice in local government, and supporting cultural and educational exchanges for mutual growth and understanding.

Chair of the Zomba Sister City Committee

Dennis Roberts, Council Member, Ward 5

Click on the thermometer to see the weather in Zomba.