The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee

The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee (AOSCC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1990 to foster and promote friendship and cultural exchange between the cities of Austin, Texas, and Oita, Japan. The committee facilitates a diverse range of programs and activities that support artistic, cultural, athletic, educational, business, and governmental interactions between the two sister cities.

Mission and Objectives

AOSCC's mission centers on building "sister city bridges" by encouraging mutual understanding and goodwill between the people of Austin and Oita. The organization seeks to heighten public interest and appreciation of the culture, people, languages, and products of both cities. It serves local communities, private citizens, municipal officials, business leaders, educators, and students through various exchange initiatives and cultural events.

Key Programs and Activities

• Cultural Exchanges: AOSCC promotes artistic collaboration such as hosting Oita artists in Austin, including artist residencies and workshops at venues like the Dougherty Arts Center.

• Educational Collaborations: The committee supports university exchange programs, notably partnerships between St. Edward’s University in Austin and Asia Pacific University in Oita.

• Athletic Events: Austin athletes participate in prominent events such as the Oita Beppu Mainichi Marathon and the world’s largest wheelchair marathon held in Oita. These athletic exchanges have contributed to AOSCC receiving the Sister Cities International National Organization on Disabilities Award.

• Community Festivals: The organization holds annual cultural celebrations, including the Oita Japan Summer Festival hosted at the Asian American Resource Center in Austin, featuring performances, demonstrations, and cultural highlights such as sumo exercises and bento box presentations.

Organizational Structure

The Austin-Oita Sister City Committee operates with a membership of approximately 16 individuals. Leadership has included figures such as Kristie Bryant, who oversees the committee's activities and strategic direction. The organization functions as a private foundation with reported revenue supporting its programming efforts.

About Oita

Oita is the capital city of Oita Prefecture on Kyushu island in Japan, with a population near 480,000. Known for its heavy chemical industries and growing IT sector, Oita also boasts rich cultural traditions and natural attractions including hot springs, mountainous scenery, and coastal landscapes. The city is renowned for its hospitality, fishing industry, and world-class sports venues like the Kyushu Oil Dome ("Big Eye"). Its cultural and economic vitality makes it a fitting sister city to Austin.

Significance

Through three decades of engagement, the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee has contributed significantly to strengthening international friendship and cultural understanding between Japan and the United States on a grassroots level. Its diverse programming fosters people-to-people connections and enriches both communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

References:
[1] Austin-Oita Sister City Committee official site
[2] Austin Sister Cities International – Oita, Japan partnership overview
[3] Cause IQ nonprofit profile
[4] Austin Chronicle community event coverage

[1] https://www.austinoita.org [2] https://www.austinsistercities.com/oita-japan [3] https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/austin-oita-sister-city-committee,742650479/ [4] https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/community/events/30-year-celebration-of-austin-oita-sister-city-committee-2703668/ [5] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/742650479/202432399349100003/full