Sunderland and Washington DC Friendship Agreement

Celebrating a friendship agreement between the people of Sunderland (UK) and Washington DC (USA)

The Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Bob Symonds, signed an Agreement of Friendship with Washington DC on 20 June 2006. The Friendship Agreement formalises Sunderland’s unique historical link with the American Capital and was signed with Anthony Williams who was Mayor of Washington DC prior to the current Mayor, Adrian Fenty.

Sunderland Councillor Bob Symonds and Anthony Williams, the previous Mayor of Washington DC signing the agreement on June 20th 2006.

The honourable Adrian Fenty, who was inaugurated in January 2007 as the Mayor of Washington DC.

Useful Websites

District of Columbia web site

Washington Ancestral Home

Sunderland City Council's web site

The Friendship Agreement means that over the next five years, the two cities will collaborate on a host of activities to create closer friendship and cooperation between both cities and develop programmes of mutual benefit.

The ancestral home of George Washington is located in Sunderland. The two cities will therefore share information and cooperate on activities linked to the historic ties, which go back to 1183.
In addition, work will focus on boosting economic development, generating new cultural and educational programmes, promoting tourism and sharing experience on social inclusion and e-government initiatives to promote citizen participation.