The Fredericksburg-Kathmandu Sister City initiative grew out of the tremendous outpouring of good will of Virginians and Nepalis who joined together with Rise Nepal and other partners after the tragic 2015 Nepal earthquakes. A civic-led initiative, it includes current and future exchanges fostering cross cultural understanding and positive outcomes in community service and the environment, academic exchanges between the University of Mary Washington and Tribhuvan University in Nepal, arts and culture, business, trekking and tourism. The scope includes the broader Kathmandu Valley and Fredericksburg-Rappahannock region, and other Virginia-Nepal exchange supporters.

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The initiative was endorsed by the Fredericksburg City Council in December 2015 along with letters of support for sister city relations exchanged between the two cities. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw serves as honorary chairperson of the Fredericksburg-Kathmandu Sister City, chaired by Nepali-American Purna Shrestha with meetings held at UMW hosted by the Center for International Relations and Dr. Jose Sainz, Director.

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The community is welcomed to participate and follow the initiative on Facebook at: Fredericksburg Nepal Exchange Facebook or contact Purna Shrestha, Chair, at Here and Abroad Deli, 1004 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (540) 371-2999, David Caprara, Coordinator (davidcap@aol.com) or Culture Chair Sue Henderson with the Fredericksburg Arts Commission (suehenderson@earthlink.net).

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FNE is a civic group made up of members from around Virginia and is governed by a Board of Directors. Meetings are held throughout the year to create strategies, plan events, and have fun sharing our love for this wonderful country! We are partnered with the Kathmandu half of our sister city program and hear from them regularly in emails and at our meetings.