Worthington, Ohio — Sayama, Japan
The Sister-City Relationship
One crisp autumn day in 1993, a delegation from Sayama, Japan sipped tea in the
garage bays of the Old Worthington Fire Station, which served as the temporary home of the City of Worthington Administration while the new Municipal Building was under construction. Seeking to identify a “friendship city,” the Japanese delegation was visiting several central Ohio cities, including Worthington. Later that winter, officials in Worthington received an official request from the Sayama International Friendship Association (SIFA) to become Sayama’s “friendship city.” In acceptance of the invitation, the City of Worthington formed the Worthington International Friendship Association (WIFA) and visited Sayama in 1994 to bind the friendship. Five years later, in 1999, that friendship deepened even further with the signing of a Sister-City agreement between the two cities.
Today, Worthington and Sayama, a suburb of Tokyo, enjoy a thriving Sister-City relationship. Over the years several Worthington and Sayama delegations of citizens, city officials, students and youth basketball, baseball and soccer teams have visited each other’s cities. In the past, WIFA and the Worthington Schools sent a choral delegation from Worthington Kilbourne High School to Sayama to perform in a number of settings and experience Japanese culture by staying with Japanese families. WIFA also sent a group of Worthington citizens to Sayama for a homestay and welcomed two groups of people from Sayama to Worthington for the “American Experience Tour,” which included 30 people between nine and 69 years old. More exciting exchanges are being planned for 2008. The Cities of Worthington and Sayama continuously work together to establish a variety of cultural exchange opportunities among libraries, schools, senior citizens, musical groups and many other community groups. Several youth and adult art exchanges have also taken place between the two cities. Through these exchanges, the Worthington community continues to build relationships with individuals from other countries and demonstrate its commitment to expanding cultural awareness for our citizens.
Click here for more information about Sayama, Japan.
2007 Exchanges:
-
Worthington welcomed people of all ages from Sayama for the 2007 American Experience Tour August 18 - 22.
- A group of 8 Worthington citizens traveled to Sayama for a homestay experience in October.
-
In July, a group of 10 boys and 10 girls made up the Worthington Youth Boosters Basketball Delegation and traveled to Sayama to play in a series of games with Sayama youth and stay in the homes of Japanese families.
2008 Exchanges:
In 2008, Worthington hopes to welcome Sayama Mayor Yukinari Nakagawa to Worthington and also a Sayama citizens delegation. Dates are still be considered.
back to top
In addition to organizing the sister-city exchanges, WIFA coordinates a variety of activities to enhance cultural relationships in the Worthington community. Ethnic dinners, lectures and international festival celebrations are just a few of the ways WIFA strives to achieve its goals of fostering intercultural friendships, welcoming international newcomers, and learning and experiencing cultural differences. The City of Worthington and WIFA believe that understanding different cultures and customs is essential for living in the global community of the 21
st century.
February - WIFA International Celebration Dinner
Summer - International Picnic
December - Japanese Travels and Holiday Treats
back to top
Individual and family memberships are available, with special discounts for students and senior citizens. Annual dues for individuals and families are:
| Individual |
$15 |
| Family |
$25 |
| Student |
$10 |
| Senior Citizen (65 ) |
$10 |
If you join during the February membership drive, you are admitted FREE to the International Dinner (non-member dinner cost is $10 per person).
Joining WIFA is easy. Click here to download the WIFA membership form.
Form can be mailed to:
WIFA
City of Worthington
6550 N. High Street
Worthington, OH 43085
For more information, please call Anne Brown at (614) 854-7173 or email brown@ci.worthington.oh.us.
