Since 1986, the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission has facilitated several productive partnerships through cultural, civic and educational exchanges. The commission promotes long-term, global people-to-people relationships through the development of international leadership, friendship and understanding. Its sister city relationship with Narashino, Japan and Schorndorf, Germany provides an avenue for the people in each city to develop friendly and mutually beneficial personal and professional relationships. The commission is a member of the Sister Cities International, the Japan America Society of Alabama and the Alabama Germany Partnership.