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Sister Cities Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem has four formal Sister Cities relationships, Ungheni, Moldova; Kumasi, Ghana; Nassau, Bahamas; and Shanghai, Yang Pu District, China, under the auspices of Sister Cities International, an independent, non-profit association dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in order to increase global cooperation, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development. Please take a look at our Recent Activities. Winston-Salem is uniquely gifted to offer the perfect
combination of Southern Hospitality, Artistic Creativity, and Economic Vitality.
For information on living in our beautiful City please see the Discover Winston-Salem web page on this site, and visit the Winston-Salem Visitors Bureau's web site: http://www.visitwinstonsalem.com/index.html
For information on doing business in our City please see the Business web page on this web site, and visit the Winston-Salem Business, Inc. web site: http://www.winstonsalembusinessinc.com/
Sister Cities World Exchange - Sister Cities Winston-Salem has opened its "World Exchange" store. The new "World Exchange" will be open weekend hours and by appointment.
The World Exchange offers for sale art and crafts made by artisans from our four Sister-Cities. The proceeds from the sale of artwork will go directly towards the artists and other Sister Cities programs. The World Exchange is located at 420 N. Cherry Street between 4th Street and 5th Street in downtown Winston-Salem, adjacent to the Embassy Suites hotel. Visit: www.worldexchangews.com for information or call Ruben Gonzales at (336)747-7474.
Sister City programs inherently involve a unique partnership that involves all three sectors of a community: the local government, business, and private voluntary sectors (service/ non-profit organizations or citizen volunteers). Sister City programs, perhaps more than any other international program, involve the widest possible diversity of projects. Sister City projects can involve any topic of mutual interest, such as health care, arts, education, economic development, public safety, municipal administration and anything else. Sister Cities Winston-Salem was established in 1998 and oversees Sister City relationships with Ungheni, Moldova; Kumasi, Ghana; Nassau, Bahamas; and Shanghai, China. Activities are coordinated by a Sister Cities Board of 21 members. The Board meets the first Thursday of every month. Staff support for the Board is provided by the City of Winston-Salem Development Office (Ruben Gonzales - (336)747-7474).
New Sister Cities Added:
Winston-Salem Sister Cities completed the process of formalizing a relationship with Shanghai, China. On December 18, 2006 the Winston-Salem City Council formally adopted a resolution establishing a partnership with the Yang pu District in Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China. This partnership with Shanghai is very exciting and the Board is thrilled about the possiblities of connecting to this exotic community. Please Join us if you are interested in our new partnership or with our other Sister Cities.
Winston-Salem´s Sister Cities
Ungheni, Moldova
 The cities of Winston-Salem and Ungheni, Moldova, agreed to be Sister Cities in the summer of 2000. Their partnership encompasses economic, cultural, and educational goals that will benefit both cities.
Ungheni, population 43,000, is near the western border with Romania. The region's economy is based on agriculture and textiles. It has a beautiful carpet-making industry dating back centuries. Today, the grape industry is an important component of Ugheni's rapidly growing wine industry.
Moldova (mole-DOH-vah) lies between Romania and the Ukraine in Eastern Europe. It has a population of about 4.5 million people in an area slightly larger than Maryland. It is an agrarian country of rolling countryside.
Kumasi, Ghana 
Winston-Salem and Kumasi, Ghana, formalized their Sister City relationship in July 2001. Their partnership calls for cooperation in the arts, education, business and cultural fields. Ghana is a country slightly smaller than Oregon, situated on the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa. It is home to 19.9 million people.
Kumasi, population 2.5 million, is the capital of the Ashanti region, a formerly independent kingdom pre-dates the formation of Ghana by 100 years. The city has a rich cultural heritage that is particularly evident in smaller surrounding towns. Trade, textiles, farming and mining are leading industries in Kumasi.
Nassau, Bahamas
Winston-Salem and Nassau, Bahamas, formalized their Sister City partnership on October 23, 2006. The word,  Bahamas, comes from the Spanish word “baja mar” meaning shallow sea.
The Bahama Islands are an archipelago of over 700 islands in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas has a population of 305,000. Nassau is the Capital City of the Bahamas and is located on New Providence Island where 70% of the island’s population lives. Nassau is the Bahamas' largest city and has its largest port and is located only 185 miles from Miami.
The Bahamas have over 270 years of democratic rule and is one of the most politically stable countries in the world. The Main exports from the Bahamas are pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish and refined petroleum. Tourism generates 50% of the total gross domestic product and directly or indirectly employs half of the total work force.
Shanghai, Yangpu District, People's Republic of China
The Winston-Salem City Council formalized the partnership with Shanghai on December 18, 2006. Shanghai is situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta. It’s the largest city in the People's Republic of China and the eighth largest in the world. The 2000 census put the population of Shanghai Municipality at 16.738 million. Widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy, the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China. Shanghai is one of the world's busiest ports, and became the largest cargo port in the world in 2005.
The two Chinese characters in the name 
"Shanghai" literally mean "on" and "sea".
In Mandarin the meaning is "go onto the sea", which is consistent with the seaport status of the city. The city has had various nicknames including "Paris of the East," "Queen of the Orient," and "Pearl of the Orient." The Yangpu District, meaning "Willow Bank," is one of the 19 districts in Shanghai. It is located in the northeast of Shanghai, bordering the Huanpu River. The southern part of Yangpu District is a major residential area with a population of some 1.24 million. Situated in northern Yangpu District are two of China's most distinguished universities, Fudan University and Tongji University.
Historically very Western in lifestyle, Shanghai is increasingly a critical center of communication with the Western world. Visitors to Shanghai find free public parks manicured to startling perfection in distinct contrast to the massive industrial installations. Shanghai’s international diversity is perhaps the world's foremost window of opportunity into the rich, historic and complex society of today's China.
The Winston-Salem Sister Cities Board has two members native to Shanghai, as well as several members who have traveled there. The WSSC Board is confident that this partnership will be both interesting and beneficial to both cities and looks forward to a long and rewarding relationship.
What Does Sister Cities Winston-Salem Do?
 Sister Cities Winston-Salem organizes a number of projects with our sister cities each year. Among the more notable:
The Sister Cities Board has sponsored annual economic exchanges with our Sister Cities of Ungheni and Kumasi. During a recent exchange Kumasi sent a trade mission that studied the local economy for business opportunities in textiles, agricultural processing and lumber and furniture. Moldova sent representatives of their wine industry to study wine production and distribution in North Carolina. The Sister Cities Board continues to research and pursue business opportunities in these and areas that can benefit both cities.
The Sister Cities Board sponsors cultural exchanges. A musical group from Moldova toured North Carolina. While in Winston-Salem the Group performed with the Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony and at Wake Forest University.
In response to an unfilled need in Ungheni, the Sister Cities Board has coordinated support for a Center for Dysfunctional Families in that city. It is the first such crisis-intervention center there, and it has become an important element in improving community life in the city.
2008 YOUNG ARTISTS SHOWCASE
Each year Sister Cities Winston-Salem conducts its "Young Artists Showcase." The Showcase exhibits art work from our Sister Cities and our local schools. The art work is centered on a theme. The 2008 theme was "A Reflection of Your Community." The 2008 Young Artists Showcase [pdf] has been completed. The overall winner for the Winston-Salem Schools was Ms. Holly Fulton of the Career Center. The exhibit was held from December 3 to 10 and the awards reception was on December 10, 2007 in the lobby of the Bryce Stuart Building. The top city entry will be entered into the National Showcase in April 2008.
For more information on our local 2008 Showcase please contact Ruben Gonzales at 747-7474. Please visit the Sister Cities International Showcase web site for more information.
 Please join us as a member or patron!
The Winston-Salem Sister Cities Board
invites interested parties
to join them in supporting worthwhile partnerships with countries world wide that are interested in the exchange of cultural and economic ideas.
Online Application
RECENT EVENTS - Please take a moment to look at some of our pictures from past events.
Contact: Ruben Gonzales
Rubeng@cityofws.org
(336)747-7474
PO Box 2511
Winston-Salem, NC 27102
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