10.a Sister City Proposed Charter_Scandia-MellerudDraft Charter - Scandia-Mellerud Sister Cities
AN AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SISTER CITIES RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA, IN THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND MELLERUD, SWEDEN
The Sister City Program, administered by Sister Cities International, was initiated by the President of the
United States of America in 1956 to encourage greater friendship and understanding between the
United States and other nations through direct personal contact.
In order to foster those goals, the City Council and people of Scandia, Minnesota, USA, as well as the
Kommunstyrelsens and people of Mellerud, Sweden – in a gesture of friendship and goodwill – agree to
collaborate for the mutual benefit of their communities by exploring shared cultural, education, tourism,
and economic opportunities that enable residents to share experiences and learn from one another.
Scandia, Minnesota – home of the first Swedish settlers in the State of Minnesota -- and Mellerud,
Sweden, recognize their historic ties and wish to celebrate their shared immigrant/emigrant stories.
Many of the founding families of Scandia, including the Dahlins, Kunos, Abrahamsons, and Edstroms,
emigrated from the Mellerud area and settled on the northwest side of Scandia -- some on or near Bone
Lake (earlier known as Bonny Lake) and Big Marine Lake.
Under this shared agreement, Scandia and Mellerud aim to create shared programs that further
friendship and international goodwill, such as – but not limited to:
Youth friendship development via the communities’ elementary schools
Development of business relations and economic cooperation
Assistance with genealogical research and connecting with relatives
Promotion of cultural heritage and arts programs in each sister community, including possible
exchanges in the area of art exhibits, music, dance, and other cultural activities
Development of relationships and sharing of ideas between the museums and other cultural
organizations of each community
Local exchange opportunities for youth, business, arts, and resident travel
With the above purposes in mind, the Mayor of Scandia, Minnesota, and the Ordförande of Melleruds
kommun, Sweden, solemnly confirm that these two cities are united by an official partnership under this
Memorandum of Understanding.
This agreement will go into effect from the date of signatures, signed on ________, 2022.
Morgan E. Andersson
Kommunstyrelsens Ordförande
Melleruds kommun, Sweden
Christine Maefsky
Mayor
Scandia, Minnesota, USA