MUSCATINE, Iowa–Though many people may not think of midsized midwestern cities as globally minded places, Muscatine has always had an interest in international affairs. In 1986, the founding members of Muscatine Sister Cities came together to help Muscatine residents learn more about the wider world and promote citizen diplomacy. As Muscatine Sister Cities President John Dabeet explained it, “several people who believed in world peace and cooperation between people at that point looked into starting a chapter.”
Since its founding, Muscatine Sister Cities has formed relationships with places all over the world. Currently, they have relationships with cities in Argentina, China, Germany, Japan, Palestine, Poland, and Ukraine and will soon formalize another relationship with a city in Liberia.
Along with hosting monthly meetings, usually on the second Thursday of each month, Muscatine Sister Cities has had the honor of welcoming several delegations from abroad as well as sending representatives overseas. To help share their accomplishments with the wider community, Muscatine Sister Cities has also hosted a variety of events, such as their spring dinners, summer socials, and holiday parties.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic largely put a stop to their in person activities, Muscatine Sister Cities has found ways to remain active and connected to their fellow cities abroad. To celebrate their 35th anniversary, Muscatine Sister Cities held a celebration for each of their current sister cities via Zoom, allowing attendees to learn more about these different locations and to honor Muscatine’s relationships with them. For their celebration with Ramallah, Palestine, the mayors of both cities even attended the Zoom meeting to highlight their 10th year as sister cities.
As in person events have grown more feasible, Muscatine Sister Cities has started reincorporating them. For the past two summers, the group has celebrated peace with Japan since the end of World War Two by hosting a bell ringing at Susan Clark Junior High School on the anniversary of the United State’s bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. They also hosted a Business After Hours in early December to educate people about their accomplishments in their first 35 years. “We try to keep people engaged,” said Dabeet.
Muscatine Sister Cities looks forward to continuing their relationships with cities around the world and hopes that more Muscatine residents would like to get involved with their citizen diplomacy too. Dabeet emphasized that members get to make a difference and gain a more international perspective. “They become part of the movement for world peace and to learn about other countries,” he stated. “You cannot put a value on something like that.” Additionally, members get opportunities to travel to Muscatine’s sister cities and to host delegates from them.
If you would like to join Muscatine Sister Cities, Dabeet encourages you to visit their website or join their Facebook group for more information. Currently, annual membership costs $35 for a single adult, or $45 for a family.
A longtime member of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muscatine Sister Cities also appreciates their help getting the word out about all their activities. “We value our relationship with the Chamber,” shared Dabeet.
