Tempe Sister Cities

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Tempe Sister Cities

To develop friendships in communities all over the world. Started December 1970, Tempe Sister Cities This is the official Tempe Sister Cities page.

For all Tempe Sister City delegates and any others who support and appreciate the organization. For those that saw their role of delegate as an opportunity of a lifetime and loved every moment of it. And for those who believe in the mission of Tempe Sister Cities and wish to support us in our endeavors.

08/25/2026

✈️ TEMPE’S HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS — YOUR SUMMER 2027 COULD BE SPENT ABROAD! 🌎

Imagine spending part of next summer living in another country, experiencing a new culture, making lifelong friendships, and seeing the world from an entirely new perspective.

The Tempe Sister Cities Student Exchange Program gives Tempe high school juniors the opportunity to participate in a transformative international exchange — funded through Tempe Sister Cities fundraising efforts.

🌍 Destinations include:
🇩🇪 Germany
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇫🇷 France
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇳 China
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
🇵🇪 Peru

Interested students can come meet us during lunch and learn how they can start planning their Summer 2027 adventure!

📍 McClintock High School
📅 August 27
🍎 Junior Lunch

📍 Tempe High School
📅 August 31
🍎 Junior Lunch

If you live in Tempe and are a junior this fall, come find us at lunch and learn more about this incredible opportunity.

Parents: If you have a high school junior who loves traveling, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, or simply wants to step outside their comfort zone, encourage them to stop by!

New places. New perspectives. New friendships. One unforgettable summer. ✈️🌎

08/19/2026

🌟 Historic handshake in the heart of Bavaria!

On Friday, August 7, our wonderful Regensburg German Country Directors, John and Audra Masche, had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Regensburg Mayor Thomas Burger right in the magnificent Old Town Hall — the very place where our partnership certificate has hung proudly for decades.

Joining them were Johannes Ellerbeck (President) and Stephan Vanino (Treasurer) of our incredible partner organization, Freundeskreis Tempe-Regensburg e.V. Together they dove into ongoing projects, sparked fresh ideas, and officially kicked off planning for the big one: our 50th anniversary celebration in 2028!

A little history that makes this moment even sweeter:

In 1976, Tempe Mayor Bill Lopiano and Tempe Sister Cities founder Dick Neuheisel made a spontaneous visit to Regensburg and proposed the sister-city link to then-Mayor Rudolf Schlichtinger. Two years later, on December 1, 1978, the official partnership was sealed with Mayor Friedrich Viehbacher — right as the Cold War still divided Europe. What began as a bold leap of friendship across continents has grown into one of Tempe Sister Cities’ greatest success stories: hundreds of student, educator, musician, athlete, and professional exchanges; legendary performances by Tempe’s Mogollon Band (now Southern Ways) at Regensburg’s Bürgerfest; the creation of Tempe-Park in Regensburg in 1990; and even the inspiration for Tempe’s beloved Oktoberfest as a “salute to our Bavarian friends.”

From a desert river bend on the Salt River to a medieval river bend on the Danube, our two university cities have been building lifelong friendships for nearly half a century — and the best is yet to come.

Here’s to the next 50 years of “Grüß Gott!” and “Howdy, partner!” 🍻🇩🇪🇺🇸

08/02/2026

🇵🇪 We were excited and honored to be part of a special celebration of Peru’s Independence Day and the Bicentennial of Diplomatic Relations between Peru and the United States!

The Consul General of Peru in Phoenix, Miguel A. Ramírez, and his spouse graciously hosted the event on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Guests enjoyed the classic Peruvian Pisco Sour, delicious traditional Peruvian food and desserts, vibrant Peruvian dance, and lively music, what an unforgettable cultural experience!

In a wonderful show of support, the City of Tempe, under Mayor Corey Woods, officially honored our sister-city relationship by proclaiming July 30, 2026, as Peru Independence Day in Tempe!

Huge thanks to Gaby Urias and Suzan Cruz, Tempe Sister Cities Co-Country Directors for Cusco, Peru. They coordinated our attendance and have been outstanding advocates for our Peruvian partnership. We’re so grateful for their dedication!

A little about our sister city, Cusco, Peru (sister city since 2012): Nestled high in the Andes at about 11,200 feet, Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and remains a living blend of indigenous Quechua culture and colonial history, truly one of the most fascinating places on earth.

¡Viva Perú! 🇵🇪 We’re proud to strengthen the bonds between Tempe and Cusco.

07/31/2026

Remembering Harry Mitchell . . .

The mission of Tempe Sister Cities is to provide person to person diplomacy through cultural and educational, community-based programs which develop global leaders and promote relationships throughout the world.

Harry was one of the Founders of Tempe Sister Cities. His dedication to our organization allowed us to build our mission, vision and core values and was instrumental in making the organization what it is today.

He served as Tempe Mayor for 16 years as well as holding office in the Arizona State Senate and the U.S House of Representatives. Most importantly, he was a teacher at his alma mater, Tempe High, for 30 years.

Harry was a man of service dedicated to those he represented. Whether as Mayor, Congressman, Councilmember, teacher or Board member, Harry’s experience, wisdom, and “do what is right” never wavered.

He loved Tempe Sisters Cities with a passion which could be seen at every meeting, celebration and Sister City that he visited. For his devoted commitment to Tempe Sister Cities, Harry was awarded the first Director Emeritus position on the Board of Directors.

We will never forget Harry’s service to our community, the lives he touched, and all that he did in our past that will continue to guide us into the future.

07/29/2026

In celebration of the 205th Peruvian Independence Day and honoring the Bicentennial of diplomatic relations between Peru and the United States, the Tempe Sister Cities Hackett House was lit up with the colors of the Peruvian Flag.

Tempe Sister Cities is honored to have Cusco, Peru as a Sister City. We wil be celebrating 15 years together in 2027 and look forward to continuing to build our relationship lead by Country Directors Suzan Cruz and Gabi Urias.

Pictured here is Suzan Cruz and Asunción Alegre, the Mesa Sister Cities Country Director for Peru.

07/25/2026

🌍✨ We’re ecstatic to share that Tempe Sister Cities was honored with the 2026 Sister Cities International Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award in recognition of our humanitarian work in Timbuktu, Mali in Memory and Honor of Aunt Sue Lofgren at last night’s Sister Cities International’s 70th Anniversary Homecoming in Washington DC!

A huge shout out to Sue Lofgren, Beth Berlage and Rich Bonelli who have intimately worked with the Mali people and their needs. As well as to Tempe Sister Cities 2nd Vice Chair Beth Lang and Board Member Joe Forte, who proudly accepted the award on behalf of our organization. Their leadership, alongside the dedication of our board members and tireless volunteers, has made this program a shining example of humanitarian commitment. Thank you all for your unwavering commitment to building bridges across cultures! 🎉

07/20/2026

2026 trip to California!!🎡☀️🌊

07/11/2026

2026 trip to the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff 🧡🌄⛺️

07/08/2026

Delegates spend the day in Flagstaff!🌲⛺️

Address

95 W 4th Street
Tempe, AZ
85281

Telephone

+14803508181

Website

http://www.tempesistercities.org/

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