The Association "Internationale Begegnungen Isernhagen e.V." 
Since the 1960s many German cities and towns became twinned in particular with French and English cities and towns in order to promote international understanding and to create the basis for future cooperation on a European level. In October 1982 Isernhagen became twinned with the French town of Epinay-sous-Sénart near Paris, and one year later in November 1983 with the English town of Peacehaven near Brighton. As Peacehaven was already twinned with Epinay, this resulted in a twinning “triangle”. In the beginning a twinning committee consisting of council members, town administrative staff and a few interested townspeople organised activities between the twin towns. A few years later the Town of Isernhagen transferred the responsibility for twinning to an association. Thus the "Verein Internationale Begegnungen Isernhagen e.V.“ - "IBI“ for short - was founded in January 1989. At that time many members of the Town Council from all of the different political parties became founding members of the association in order to show their mutual support for twinning. According to its charter the association’s purpose is to promote international-mindedness, tolerance and understanding by initiating, maintaining, strengthening and expanding friendly relations among the twin towns. Another goal is to acquaint the people of Isernhagen with the cultures of each of the twin towns. The association meets its goals by organising visits both here and to the twin towns, by giving financial support to clubs and other associations who carry out exchanges and by organising various events which provide insight into our friends’ different cultures. In December 2000 the town of Isernhagen became twinned with the Polish town of Suchy Las, which is located near Poznan. |