The Municipality of Beit Sahour has long recognized the value of international friendship and cooperation. Through its Twinning and Partnership Program, Beit Sahour actively builds bridges with cities across the world, sharing experiences in governance, culture, youth development, and sustainable urban growth. These relationships, often called “twinning agreements”, represent more than symbolic gestures — they are living partnerships designed to strengthen understanding among communities that share similar values of peace, tolerance, and civic participation.
Background and Purpose
The concept of town twinning began in post-war Europe as a way to promote peace through people-to-people connection. For Beit Sahour — a historic town neighboring Bethlehem — twinning became a practical and cultural instrument to reach out beyond borders. The city’s leadership saw that cooperation with international partners could help local institutions learn new administrative models, attract educational and tourism opportunities, and give its residents a sense of belonging to a wider global family.
Beit Sahour’s twinning program was formally initiated in the early 2000s, under the direction of the municipal council, and has since evolved into a network of municipalities that share expertise in areas such as urban planning, cultural heritage preservation, and community resilience. The program aligns with Palestine’s broader vision of constructive diplomacy through local engagement — where municipalities speak to municipalities, and citizens engage directly with one another.
Current and Historical Partner Cities
Beit Sahour maintains or has maintained active links with several international partners, including:
- Doha, Qatar – Cooperation on cultural exchange programs and educational initiatives that highlight Arab identity and shared regional heritage.
- San Sebastián (Donostia), Spain – Partnership focusing on youth projects, arts festivals, and urban design best practices.
- Creil, France – Collaboration on social inclusion, environmental awareness, and women’s empowerment.
- Pistoia, Italy – Exchange of municipal experiences in solid-waste management, public libraries, and tourism promotion.
- Kosice, Slovakia – Technical workshops on local governance and public participation mechanisms.
These partnerships have produced numerous cultural festivals, exchange visits, and collaborative publications. Delegations from Beit Sahour frequently travel abroad to showcase Palestinian culture and to discuss joint projects in education, health, and heritage preservation. Likewise, international visitors to Beit Sahour are often welcomed with public ceremonies and guided tours through the city’s landmarks, including the Shepherds’ Field, the Old City district, and community centers operated by local NGOs.
Achievements and Activities
Through its twinning relations, Beit Sahour has implemented projects that have left a visible mark on local life:
- Hosting the Palestine–Doha Cultural Week (2016), featuring youth dialogues and an exhibition on traditional crafts.
- Establishing the Beit Sahour International Friendship Garden, where each partner city planted a symbolic tree representing solidarity and hope.
- Participating in the European Union’s Urban Cooperation Programme for knowledge transfer on renewable-energy solutions for small municipalities.
- Creating student exchange opportunities between local high schools and European counterparts, emphasizing peace education and human rights.
- Co-organizing online workshops with international NGOs on city branding, historical preservation, and tourism recovery after the pandemic.
In addition to cultural and educational benefits, twinning has also generated tangible development results. The municipality received modest grants for improving public lighting and waste-collection systems, as well as technical training for municipal staff. The program helped shape Beit Sahour’s current “Smart and Green City” initiative, aiming to balance modernization with preservation of heritage.
Cultural and Diplomatic Significance
For a small community under complex political realities, maintaining open communication with cities worldwide is both an act of resilience and a statement of identity. Beit Sahour uses its twinning platform to show that Palestinian municipalities are proactive, cooperative, and forward-looking. Each agreement is built on mutual respect — recognizing that learning flows in both directions. While Beit Sahour gains access to new technologies and planning tools, partner cities gain first-hand understanding of Palestinian culture, history, and community life.
The twinning initiative also serves as a form of citizen diplomacy. Local youth, teachers, and cultural workers become ambassadors for their city. Through art, storytelling, and shared projects, they counter stereotypes and foster empathy. This grassroots diplomacy often achieves what formal politics cannot: building trust and friendship between ordinary people.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, the municipality aims to expand its network to include additional cities in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The next phase of the program will emphasize digital cooperation — connecting classrooms, cultural centers, and entrepreneurs through online platforms. Beit Sahour plans to host an annual International Friendship Forum where representatives of twinned cities can meet, exchange progress reports, and plan new initiatives for youth employment, green energy, and cultural tourism.
The municipality also intends to document all twinning agreements and activities in a bilingual digital archive, accessible through the official website. This transparency will help citizens follow the benefits of each partnership and encourage local participation.
Contact and Coordination
The International Relations and Twinning Office at Beit Sahour Municipality oversees the coordination of all partnership activities. Interested municipalities or organizations may contact the office to explore new cooperation opportunities.
Email: info@beitsahourmunicipality.com
Tel: +970-2-2742424
Archived Reference
This page is a continuation of documentation originally published in July 2018 and referenced in various encyclopedic sources, including Wikipedia – Doha. It preserves the informational purpose of the archived content while reflecting the current activities of Beit Sahour Municipality in maintaining its international partnerships.