Some diplomatic relationships are born in official documents, but they only come to life when people make them their own. The relationship between Toluca and Suwon is one of these cases: through scholarships, cultural projects, and acts of solidarity, the two cities have built a sisterhood that has remained strong for more than two decades despite the thousands of kilometers that separate them.

Toluca rises under the majestic presence of the Nevado de Toluca volcano and the living legacy of its colonial heritage. Suwon, with the Hwaseong Fortress at its center and a vibrant cultural spirit, has become one of the most meaningful places in my life. I never imagined that the paths of these two cities would one day cross within my own story, showing me the power of local cooperation and the kind of diplomacy that begins with people.

Living in Korea taught me that diplomacy is not found only in embassies or official meetings, but also comes to life in everyday moments. It shows up when students choose to study abroad, when chefs bring their traditions to new places, when artists carry their culture through their work, and when humanitarian actions remind us that solidarity can cross borders. Realizing that Toluca and Suwon had been creating these connections long before I arrived in Korea  filled me with pride and helped me understand my own place within this cultural bridge. I carry my country, city, culture, family and values with me at every step, and Suwon shows me every day that those roots can bloom far from home. In the end, relationships between cities are sustained not only by agreements, but by the people who keep them alive.

The sisterhood between Toluca and Suwon is part of the Global Sister Cities program. These alliances emerged after World War II as gestures of peace between communities, and today they stand as a key pillar of city diplomacy and decentralized international cooperation. Mexico began moving in this direction in the 1960s with the creation of its first National Committee of Sister Cities, followed later by the Mexican Program for Sister Cities and Decentralized International Cooperation (PROMECHCID). Korea strengthened this approach through the Public Diplomacy Act of 2016 and the First Basic Plan for Public Diplomacy implemented from 2017 to 2021.

In this context, the Toluca–Suwon sister city partnership, established in 1999, has produced tangible results in education, culture, youth engagement and sustainability. Its citizen-led origins make it even more meaningful. For several years, the relationship was managed by the Toluca Sister Cities Association, a civil society organization that kept the partnership active during its early stages. Today, the collaboration is coordinated by Toluca’s Office of International Affairs, led by Ericka Hernández Chamorro, and by the Suwon Center for International Cooperation (SWCIC) under the leadership of Suwon’s mayor, Lee Jae-joon.

One of the most meaningful achievements of this partnership is the Ajou–Suwon Master’s Scholarship Program (ASSM) at the Graduate School of International Studies of Ajou University. It has opened the door for eight young students from Toluca to pursue their graduate studies in Suwon. More than an academic benefit, these scholarships broaden horizons and truly change lives. They are also a powerful example of knowledge exchange and people-to-people diplomacy, showing how human connections strengthen the bond between the two cities.

In 2020, at the hardest moment of the COVID-19 pandemic, Suwon sent forty thousand face masks to Toluca through the Mexican Red Cross. It was not only a diplomatic act but a deeply human gesture that reminded us that even from across the ocean, solidarity can find its way when it is needed most.

Cultural exchange has also left a meaningful mark on this partnership. In 2019, Toluca’s chefs Christian Muñoz and Adolfo Flores brought the flavors of the State of Mexico to the Suwon International Gastronomy Festival. In 2021, the sculpture La Búsqueda by master artist Fernando Cano traveled more than twelve thousand kilometers to be installed on Suwon’s International Sister Cities Street. During the farewell ceremony in Toluca, the then Director of Culture, Cecilia Portilla Lührs, shared that the piece carried a special mission: “to give a symbolic embrace to our Korean brothers.” Her words captured the spirit of this cultural exchange, a gesture that traveled beyond distance and strengthened the bond between the two cities.

In March 2024, a new chapter strengthened these ties. During his visit to Toluca, Suwon’s mayor, Lee Jae-joon, was named an Honorary Distinguished Guest in a special session of the City Council led by Toluca’s then mayor, Juan Maccise Naime. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared values of community, sustainability and education, and announced the expansion of the scholarship program, an initiative that continues to connect local talent with global opportunities.

As part of the visit, cultural diplomacy took on a special meaning at Vicente Guerrero Park with the unveiling of the mural From the Heart of Suwon, created by artist Flor Angélica Flores Serrano. Inspired by Hwaseong Fortress (수원 화성), Haenggung Palace (화성행궁) and Hwahongmun Gate (화홍문), the mural celebrates Suwon’s history and cultural identity in a way that invites viewers to connect with the city’s spirit. To honor the friendship between the two cities, an Árbol de las Manitas was planted at the site, a tree cherished in Toluca for its natural and cultural significance.

The 2024 Hwaseong Cultural Festival also opened space for young voices to take part in the exchange. Children from Toluca submitted fifty-three drawings under the theme “Let’s Make the Earth Green.” Twenty-one of them were selected for exhibition at Suwon’s Manseok Gallery, a recognition that reflects how this sister-city partnership continues to cross generations and grow through the creativity of its youngest artists.

Behind these achievements is the ongoing collaboration between Toluca’s Office of International Affairs, the Sister Cities Association and the Suwon Center for International Cooperation. Their joint work reflects the essence of paradiplomacy and the ability of local communities to build meaningful international relationships from the ground up.

Today, after living in Korea, I understand why this sister-city partnership continues to thrive. It did not only bring two cities together, it also became part of my own story. Suwon is a place that welcomes you, inspires you and leaves a mark. Walking through its streets filled with history and culture, meeting its people and seeing how tradition and innovation live side by side has connected me deeply with the city. Each time I walk through Suwon again, I understand a little more why these ties matter and why cities have the power to create relationships that are real, meaningful and lasting.

Toluca is part of my roots, and Suwon has become one of the places that has taught me to see the world from a new perspective and to feel that a second home can be built even far from where you were born. The bond that Toluca and Suwon have nurtured for twenty-six years shows that cities can be agents of peace, understanding and development for their communities. This sister-city partnership, grounded in cooperation, friendship and solidarity, will continue to grow as long as there are people who believe in it and work to keep it alive.

And perhaps that is the most meaningful part of this story. Behind every agreement, every scholarship and every cultural exchange, there are people who build bridges, share dreams and keep alive the desire to bring two cities closer together. Even with an ocean between them, Toluca and Suwon find in their people the bridge that truly connects them.