The Sister City programs, part of the people-to-people program, play a vital role in fostering international cooperation, cultural exchange, and economic partnerships between communities across the globe. These programs have significantly strengthened the ties between Portuguese and Portuguese-American communities in California. The Tulare-Angra SisterCity Foundation celebrates its 60th anniversary next year (2026) and is the oldest sister city program between Azorean and American cities. Over the decades, this relationship has grown through various initiatives, including cultural programs, student exchange opportunities at Fresno State, and ongoing events that deepen the bond between Tulare, California, and Angra do Heroísmo in the Azores. These collaborations have fostered mutual understanding and laid the groundwork for further development in key areas that benefit both communities.

To fully realize the potential of this partnership, a seven-part program should be established to expand the economic, cultural, and educational ties between Tulare and Angra do Heroísmo. This program would focus on the following key initiatives:

  1. Industry & Workforce Development—Creating apprenticeship programs and workforce training initiatives that connect businesses in Tulare and Angra. These could include agriculture, food production, and renewable energy sectors, industries where both regions have strong expertise. Cross-training opportunities and joint workforce development programs can help communities adapt to evolving industry trends.
  2. Commerce & Trade Expansion—Establishing a business exchange network where companies from Tulare and Angra can explore trade partnerships. Tulare, a major hub for agribusiness, could expand exports of dairy and agricultural products to Portugal, while Azorean companies specializing in seafood, tourism, and artisanal goods could find new markets in California. Sister city trade fairs and investment forums could strengthen business collaborations.
  3. Education & Student Exchange – Expanding the Fresno State student exchange program to include vocational training, research collaborations, and scholarships for students from both regions. A greater focus on agricultural science, translation studies, public policy, and sustainability programs could offer students real-world learning experiences while fostering long-term professional connections.
  4. Arts & Cultural Heritage – Promoting Azorean and Portuguese-American art, music, and literature through exhibitions, performances, and collaborative artistic projects. A joint artist-in-residence program could allow artists from Angra to work in Tulare and vice versa, enriching both communities. The 60th-anniversary celebrations should, and by the way, include historical documentation projects, oral history recordings, and a digital archive highlighting the rich history of the Tulare-Angra relationship.
  5. Technology & Innovation Collaboration —Partner with universities and tech firms in California and Portugal to develop joint initiatives in digital agriculture, environmental sustainability, and smart city technologies. Azorean and Californian researchers could collaborate on projects related to climate change, oceanic studies, and renewable energy, bringing cutting-edge technology into both communities.
  6. Agriculture & Sustainability – Since Tulare and Angra are deeply rooted in agriculture, this initiative would focus on agricultural innovation, water conservation, and sustainable farming practices. Azorean farmers could learn from California’s advancements in precision farming and irrigation techniques, while California farmers could gain insight into Angra’s organic and traditional farming methods. A sustainable agriculture conference could be a platform for knowledge-sharing between experts from both regions.
  7. Cultural Tourism & Heritage Promotion—Expand heritage tourism opportunities by creating travel programs, culinary exchanges, and cultural festivals highlighting the Portuguese influence in California and vice versa. Tulare and Angra could work together to develop joint tourism packages, promoting each other’s unique historical and cultural experiences, increasing tourism revenue, and strengthening cultural appreciation.

By implementing this seven-part program, the Tulare-Angra Sister City relationship can move beyond symbolic connections and create tangible benefits for both communities. As the 60th-anniversary approaches, this is an opportunity to renew and expand the partnership, ensuring that the next generation of Portuguese-Americans and Azoreans continue to build upon the strong foundation of friendship, cooperation, and shared heritage that has defined this relationship for decades.

My friends, the People-to-People Program of sister city initiatives is a powerful force for global peace, fostering relationships that transcend national borders, political divisions, and cultural barriers. Unlike national governments, which often engage in diplomacy through rigid policies and political negotiations, sister city programs build peace through direct human connections—through students, artists, educators, business leaders, and everyday citizens. These local relationships cultivate mutual understanding, trust, and shared goals, creating a foundation for long-term cooperation. By engaging in cultural exchanges, economic partnerships, and educational collaborations, people from different backgrounds learn to see each other not as strangers or political adversaries but as partners in building a better future.

In a world increasingly divided by conflict, nationalism, and political strife, General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vision of a People-to-People program remains a beacon of hope. While national governments struggle with diplomatic tensions, grassroots engagement through sister cities provides a steady, lasting avenue for peace and prosperity. These programs emphasize common humanity over political differences, allowing communities to work together in areas where governments often fall short—education, economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. At a time when the world needs unity more than ever, the People-to-People Program stands as a testament to the idea that true diplomacy happens at the local level, one relationship at a time, ensuring that peace is not just an abstract ideal but a lived experience among individuals across the globe.

We are certain that FLAD, with its 40-year history and its renewed leadership, can be a strong partner in this endeavor.  PBBI at Fresno State, with funding from FLAD, has been an important element in registering our Sister City’s history. In Africa, a continent with which the Portuguese have a close relationship, there is a proverb: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Let’s do this together–as we say in Portuguese: a união faz a força–unity is strength.  

From the Tulare event…

Book display from Bruma Publications at the Tulare Event