St. Charles Sister Cities, a not-for profit organization, has been facilitating exchanges between St. Charles and Ludwigsburg Germany for more than 20 years. Our Mission: to encourage and implement high quality programs which foster mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill through cultural, social, business and educational exchanges between St. Charles and her Sister Cities. In other words: People To People Citizen Diplomacy.

The idea of citizen diplomacy was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, in an effort to champion peace after the war. From this initiative, Sister Cities International was born.

The relationship between St. Charles and Ludwigsburg came about just 3 years after the American troops left Ludwigsburg in 1993. The vacated barracks have been turned into numerous businesses, a lovely hotel, and multi-family homes. Many friendships were formed, and marriages conjoined, during the military’s time in and around Ludwigsburg. St. Charles-Ludwigsburg Sister Cities continues to foster friendships.