What is Iowa Sister States?
Iowa Sister States (ISS) is a non–profit that was founded in 1985 to manage the official relationships established by the Governor of Iowa with foreign states. There are eight of these including: Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (1960), Yucatan, Mexico (1965), Hebei Province, China (1983), Terengganu, Malaysia (1987), Stavropol Krai, Russia (1988), Taiwan (1989), Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (1996) and Veneto Region, Italy (1997).

ISS Mission Statement:
Iowa Sister States is a volunteer organization dedicated to connecting Iowans with the world community. Our Mission is to provide international programs that promote the interest of Iowa's citizens and to support the State of Iowa in achieving its international goals.

We do this by facilitating and hosting exchange programs between Iowa and our various sister states. We also foster conferences and international activities in Iowa that relate directly to our mission statement.

Who are we?
We have over 1000 people interested in keeping informed of ISS activities. Our staff consists of 1.5 FTE employees with extensive involvement from MANY volunteers.

How do we benefit Iowa?
ISS is committed to exposing Iowans to people, ideas, and experiences that are of an international flair. We try to bring the world to Iowa by providing opportunities statewide to attend lectures, conferences, performances, and exhibits in order to communicate with people from different cultures. This helps to bring Iowans a cultural experience and openness that they might not otherwise have access to. We also facilitate exchanges that send Iowans to our sister states. By doing this, we provide opportunities for Iowans to exhibit their talent and expertise, all the while experiencing a different culture.

How do we do our programming?
Project ideas come from our volunteers and Iowa communities, as well as from our sister states. The ideas go to an ISS committee for review. If approved, a committee is formed to plan the program. ISS Staff support the work of the committee and handle administrative and official details.

What kind of projects do we do?
Past projects have involved artists, medical professionals, environmental professionals, athletes, educators, chefs, emergency response professionals, and official state to state delegations.