DC-Dakar

DC-Dakar

 

 Background Information

We are grassroots non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1980 as a member of Sister Cities International, our primary mission is the promotion of friendship and mutual understanding between the two cities and their citizens, based upon the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and cooperation. Through the Council, residents of the Washington Metropolitan area have the opportunity to participate in a variety of cultural, educational, and economic development activities, which help to foster a bond with the residents of Dakar. It is the 35th Anniversary of our local sister city program DC-Dakar.

In 1980, Washington, D.C. officially twinned with Dakar, Senegal. A Protocol of Exchange was signed in Dakar in December 1984. To facilitate relations with Dakar, a D.C. – Dakar Capital Cities Friendship Council, Inc. was established as the District’s official sister city linkage. Incorporated in 1985, the Council is a private voluntary organization which fosters peace, development, and international understanding through the people-to-people contacts provided by our sister city affiliation.

Generally, the purpose of our sister city relationship is to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the two cities and their citizens, based upon the principal of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and cooperation. Through the D.C. – Dakar Capital Cities Friendship Council, people in the Washington Metropolitan area can participate in a variety of cultural, educational, and economic development activities which help to foster a bond with the people of Dakar.

 

Significant activities of the Council includes:

  • Trade fair with Senegalese craft persons.
  • Solid Waste Advisement Project in Dakar.
  • Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program.
  • Help provide medical supplies, equipment, medicine and an ambulance.
  • Provide educational supplies, computers and supplies, and books
  • Participates in the Goree Island Project.
  • Organizes, host and coordinates the U.S. African Sister Cities Conferences.
  • Participates in and arrange on going educational and cultural events.
  • Celebrates D.C.-Dakar Week with a host of activities.
  • Participated in the implementation of the first expatriate election for Senegalese in the United States.
  • DCPS Pen pals with a Senegalese English Club.
  • Participates in orientation for persons or groups traveling to Senegal.
  • Support PADEC summer enrichment program for 700 children.
  • Women empowerment program.
  • Shelter for young women
  • Female African Ambassadors Luncheon
  • Home Tour of homes with African/African American Art

 

The DC-Dakar Council is also the organizer of the U.S. Africa Sister Cities Foundation, Inc. In 1991, DC-Dakar established an annual Foundation conference in order to broaden the scope of program issues focusing on Africa. As an advocate organization addressing issues that affect Africa and promoting public awareness through our African sister cities, the Foundation assists in facilitating friendship and better understanding, values of mutual respect, cooperation and benefit as well as encouraging a higher quality of life economically, technically, and environmentally.

In 1990 at the Annual Sister Cities International (SCI) Conference in Chicago, D.C. – Dakar convened a meeting of all cities that had African sister cities. Twenty-one persons came to the meeting. After the meeting the D.C.-Dakar delegation was much energized. We presented the idea of a meeting of all U.S. African Sister Cities in Washington, D.C. The D.C.-Dakar Board approved hosting the meeting in D.C.