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Shawnee's Sister Cities
In early 1983, the Shawnee Chamber of commerce and the Shawnee Historical Society sought the City's support of the Sister City Program, which resulted in the Governing Body adopting a resolution of support, Resolution No. 601, on March 28, 1983. At that time, 12 other cities in Kansas were participating in the Sister City Program.
The Sister City program was created in an effort to increase international understanding by encouraging relationships between communities in different parts of the world. The goal for the cities involved is to learn more about each other and to develop lasting and meaningful relationships through ongoing exchanges of people, ideas, and cultures. Affiliations between cities in the United States and other countries began shortly after 1945, but no real national focus was realized until 1946 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower initiated the People to People Program at the White House.
The City of Shawnee now has three sister cities:
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Pittem, Belgium
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| The Shawnee City Council adopted Resolution 614 designating Pittem, Belgium as a Sister City on November 28,1983. Mayor Soetaert received a letter from Leopold Gelaude, Mayor of Pittem, confirming the Council of Pittem stating the friendly relationship between the two cities in its session of February 6, 1984
In honor of this sister city relationship, a city park at 55th and Nieman was named West Flanders Park and dedicated as a memorial to the Belgians who migrated to Shawnee in the early 1900's from the West Flanders Province of Belgium. The dedication ceremony was held September 27, 1986. |
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Listowel, Ireland
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| The Shawnee City Council adopted Resolution 647 designating Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland as a Sister City on July 8, 1985.
In honor of this sister city relationship, a City park at 71st and Quivira was named Listowel Park and dedicated as a memorial to early Shawnee settlers who emigrated to this area from Ireland. The dedication ceremony was conducted September 20, 1986. Since 1986, visitors from Listowel have been guests of honor each year at Shawnee's St. Patrick's Day parade and after-parade festivities. |
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Erfurt, Germany
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| The Shawnee City Council adopted Resolution 926 designating Erfurt, Germany as a Sister City on June 8, 1993. |
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