Who We Are

Over three decades ago, Sister Cities International was launched to encourage an exchange of ideas between citizens of cities around the globe.

The sister cities program presents an opportunity to visit a foreign country, not as a tourist, but as a member of a family and community.  Each year high schools students from Decatur visit our sister cities, staying with host families and learning about daily life in a foreign country.  Likewise, students from Seevetal and Tokorozawa visit Decatur each year and become part of a Decatur family for several weeks.  These exchanges create an atmosphere of respect and build towards a dialogue between communities that is vital in our understanding of global intra-dependency and world.

In addition, the Sister Cities also participates is adult exchanges. We are expecting 35 adults from Seevetal, Germany for a 10 day exchange in September 2007.

Our City

Decatur, Illinois  USA

The city of Decatur was founded in 1829 as seat of Macon County. It took its name from Commodore Stephen Decatur (oval insert in lower right corner), a United States Naval hero of the battle of Tripoli.

  Sculpted by John David Brein, a Chicago artist, the statue was dedicated November 6, 1952 at W. Main and Pine streets as a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Scovill.  A city park, zoo and public golf course were named for the Scovills. It was moved in 1990 to its present location.

   Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, leading the country during the “War Between the States”.  The state of Illinois is called the “Land of Lincoln”. Lincoln was a frequent visitor to Decatur while he was practicing law. Several statues commemorate his visits.  The “Stump Speaker” statue (oval insert to the left of Stephen Decatur), marking his first political speech, was erected October 16, 1968.   A bronze plaque says “Lincoln mounted a stump by Harrell’s Tavern facing this square and defended the Illinois Whig Party candidates near this spot at age 21 in the summer of 1830.”