International Co-operation and Town Twinning Organisations
Formal twinning links in Europe
Town Twinning began in earnest after the Second World War when the rebuilding of links between countries was more necessary than ever, which is why so many of the early links were with Germany and France. In the case of Waltham Forest, the Council has formal twinning links with Saint-Mandé, France and Wandsbeck, Germany.
Friendship links outside Europe
In recent years local authorities have tended to link with towns outside Europe to reflect their ethnic make-up rather than their links that arose from the Second World War. Waltham Forest is no exception and in 1998, Friendship Links were established in the Caribbean with St. John's, the capital town of Antigua and Barbuda, Roseau in the Commonwealth of Dominica. More recently, the Council has established a Friendship Link with Mirpur in Pakistan.
Saint-Mandé, Paris, France
The Council has had town twinning links with Saint-Mandé for over 40 years. Indeed, the 40th anniversary of "The Jumelage" (or Twinning) was celebrated in 1996 culminating in an official delegation visiting Saint Mandé to mark the occasion of the signing of the twinning declaration in April 1956 between Saint Mandé and the then Chingford Borough Council.
As well as official visits, student exchanges take place between Highams Park School and College Offenbach. More recent events have included local artists exhibiting their works at the 50th Annual Salon of French Artists in Saint Mandé Town Hall.
In recent years, the Joseph Clarke School for the Visually Impaired played host to a group of visually impaired pupils from Saint-Mandé. The successful visit was arranged through the offices of the Institut Departemental Des Aveugles, Saint-Mandé. Five pupils visited Waltham Forest, staying at the Gillwell Park Centre, Chigwell.
