Giving Compass' Take:
- Sister cities can help support Ukraine through collaboration, cooperation, cultural ties, civic exchanges, and demonstrations of goodwill.
- How can donors play a role in supporting international actors in a collaborative, localized context?
- Read more guidance on helping Ukraine.
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Distant from the conflict in Ukraine, many Americans might welcome a means of supporting the eastern European nation as it defends itself against Russian invaders. One answer could be city diplomacy and one of its best examples: Sister City ties.
The devastating progression of war in Ukraine and the televised suffering of the Ukrainian people have caused many around the world to want to help. The Los Angeles City Council recently voted to adopt the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as a Los Angeles sister city, which could speed the flow of goods and services to the war-torn Ukrainian capital.
City diplomacy centers on fostering good relations with international actors through collaboration, cooperation, cultural ties, civic exchanges, and demonstrations of good will while promoting trade and policies that promote shared goals. Even though cities cannot infringe on national diplomacy and foreign policy, they could use their international connections, pragmatism, and expertise to advance international causes more nimbly than the federal government.
The attacks on highly populated areas of Ukraine, such as in Kyiv, have caused civilians to seek refuge in subway stations and endure shortages of electricity, water, or other basic needs. At the same time, the pandemic is continuing to strain health care services, making it difficult for civilians to access treatment for COVID-19 and other illnesses like HIV, TB. These are areas where city administrations could help by leveraging their access to knowledge, expertise, best practices, citizen financial donations, and their local and international networks.
Other than direct donations, and provision of medical equipment, citizen-run entities in LA may be able to more easily collaborate with their counterparts in Kyiv if the sister city tie is officially recognized. For Angelenos who are eager to help people of Ukraine, their city, the government entity that most closely represents them, could facilitate efforts in more systematic ways; the city administration could use its international ties to further help its citizens help their fellow citizens of another city. This is how a city advances the global interests of the local community.
A sister city relationship can on one hand facilitate people-to-people exchanges and aid, and on the other it can ensure a two-way exchange of information. This could be crucial in the face of growing disinformation.
Read the full article about supporting Ukraine by Sohaela Amiri at RAND Corporation.