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Novi-Owani Sister City Program
Declaration of Kokeshi Doll as the Official Japan Mascot of the City
of Novi for 2007
 In the
spring of 1988, an informal Sister School relationship began between
Novi's Orchard Hill's Elementary School and the Owani Daimi
Elementary in Owani, Japan.
Relations began with the exchange of a design for the Alexander
Graham Bell kite from Orchard Hills students to Owani students.
The exchange was organized through a Novi teacher and a Japanese
family living in Novi that was returning to Owani for an extended
period. The exchange sparked the interest of both schools and
the relationship grew through the sharing of art, poems, music, and
books. The idea of expanding the relationship to encompass
both school districts and cities was soon brought forward.
In 1990, the prefecture of Aomori provided funds to the Owani
school district to finance a student exchange for cultural
enrichment. The first formal visit of Owani students to Novi
took place in January 1991. Further friendships and exchanges
were fostered between Novi and Owani students during this stay.
Groups from Owani have continued to make the trip to Novi once every
other year, most recently in July 1996.
In the spring of 1993 and 1995, a delegation of students and
adults from Novi Schools went to Owani. The Novi delegations
visited all the Owani schools and were hosted by the Mayor and the
community. The trips were made possible through an agreement
with Northwest Airlines, business and community sponsors, and the
families of individual students.
Read more about Sister Cities at the
Sister
Cities International website.
Program Goals and Benefits
- Promote understanding of a foreign culture
- Foster cordial relations between two countries
- Provide the opportunity for personal experience of a foreign
culture
- Provide opportunities for learning and individual growth
- Provide opportunities for exchange visits of students, city
and school administrators, and community members
- Provide opportunities for growth in the area of communication
- Promote better understanding of international issues
- Stimulate student interest in careers within the international
business and communications fields.
Sister City Facts
Owani, Japan
| Location: |
140 degrees 41'E
40 degrees 32' N |
| Area: |
164.85 square km |
| Population |
15,116 |
| Households |
4,464 |
Source: City of Owani
Owani is a resort area in the Aomori prefecture at the northern
tip of the island of Honshu. Major industries include
"commerce, manufacturing, apples, and rice." Owani hosts a
number of festivals including the Tsutsuji Flower Festival, the Ski
Festival, and the Daienji Temple Festival. The town can also
date occupation of the area back to 4500-7000 B.C. through "historic
relics of dwelling."
Resolution
WHEREAS,
the President of the United States has requested the
participation of cities as part of his program on international
relations for the purpose of aiding in the development of mutual
understanding between the cities; and,
WHEREAS,
it is to the mutual advantage of the cities and school
districts of Owani, Japan and Novi, Michigan, and the citizens
thereof, to cultivate an educational and cultural exchange, and
international outreach between the cities; and,
WHEREAS, this
Sister City relationship between Owani and Novi will offer an
unequaled opportunity for people of all ages to experience, explore
and absorb another culture through a long-term partnership;
WHEREAS, when a community establishes a
relationship with a community in another country, virtually
unlimited opportunities for communication and creative exchanges are
unleashed; and
WHEREAS,
Owani and Novi will be committed to a process whereby values are
examined, differences acknowledged, and experiences shared, in an
atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and
City Council of the City of Novi, do hereby join with the Novi
Community School District Board of Education and citizens of Novi in
welcoming Owani, Japan as a Sister City of Novi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that through this Sister City partnership, Owani and Novi
can learn together, work together, live together, and dream
together. The people of Owani and Novi can reach out to grasp
new challenges and begin to solve some of life's
problems...together.
Novi City Council
Novi Board of Education
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