Peace Corps' 50th anniversary logo. Below, my daughter Elissa next to a Kennedy poster in the lobby of Peace Corps Headquarters, Washington, DC.
“Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that what we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us.” Sargent Shriver, first director of the Peace Corps, 1961-1966
I feel blessed to be a part of the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Ukraine. It’s hard to believe that its 50th anniversary is here. I remember when it started in 1961, in the happy halcyon days of the Kennedys. Over 200,000 Americans have served in 139 countries since then. Today there are 8600 volunteers in 77 countries, serving our country in the cause of peace from the bottom up.
Here is a listing of some of the Peace Corps' newest programs and projects (http://www.nationalpeacecorpsassociation.0rg/):
“Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that what we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us.” Sargent Shriver, first director of the Peace Corps, 1961-1966
I feel blessed to be a part of the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Ukraine. It’s hard to believe that its 50th anniversary is here. I remember when it started in 1961, in the happy halcyon days of the Kennedys. Over 200,000 Americans have served in 139 countries since then. Today there are 8600 volunteers in 77 countries, serving our country in the cause of peace from the bottom up.
The world has changed since 1961 and so has the Peace Corps, for some people not fast enough, for others at a good-enough pace given the difficult process of transitions. We contemporary PCVs are not as isolated as the early volunteers, who didn't have the internet and cell phones and the technology that keeps us connected. Current PCVs wonder how our predecessors, the pioneers, did it in those early days; we are lucky we can stay in touch with loved ones. Also, we are working on a host of different issues, from agricultural development to AIDS/HIV education, information technology, non-governmental organization development, human rights and environmental protection. We are in villages, towns and cities around the globe, "a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America’s history and positive image abroad" (http://www.peacecorps.gov/).
Here is a listing of some of the Peace Corps' newest programs and projects (http://www.nationalpeacecorpsassociation.0rg/):
HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean
The Peace Corps has intensified its role in the global effort to fight HIV/AIDS by training all Volunteers in Africa as educators and advocates of HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Regardless of their primary project, all Volunteers are being equipped to play a role in addressing the multiple health, social, and economic problems related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Peace Corps programs in Botswana and Swaziland are devoted entirely to fighting the disease. In addition, efforts are expanding into the Caribbean, where more Volunteers are focusing efforts on combating HIV/AIDS.
Information Technology
Volunteers provide technical training and support to groups and organizations that want to make better use of information and communications technology. They introduce people to the computer as a tool to increase efficiency and communication and to "leap frog" stages of development. Volunteers teach basic computer literacy skills, (e.g. word-processing, spreadsheets, basic accounting software, Internet use, and webpage development) and they introduce host communities to e-commerce, distance learning, and geographic information systems.
Expanding Into New Countries- Africa Region
Since Ghana received the first Peace Corps Volunteers in 1961, more than 60,000 Americans have served in 46 African countries. The Peace Corps continues to enjoy strong cooperation and support from the people of Africa. At the end of fiscal year 2011, some 3,000 Volunteers and trainees will be on board, working in 25 countries. In 2003, the re-opening of the Chad, Botswana, and Swaziland programs poised the Africa region for substantial growth.
Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Region
More than 48,250 Volunteers have served in the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia (EMA) region since 1961. EMA has well over 2,500 Volunteers and trainees working in 20 countries, most of which are undergoing rapid economic and social changes. Throughout the region, Volunteers work with governments, local organizations, and communities to provide needed technical expertise and promote cross-cultural understanding. Together, Volunteers and their counterparts work to address changing needs in agriculture, business, education, the environment, and health.
I would add to this description the work volunteers are doing in NIS countries, the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Volunteers work in all areas and on all issues relevant to the transitioning economic and political conditions of these former Soviet republics. It is transformative work at the local level, step by step. It is about getting to know these countries and their cultures, and about them getting to know about America. Where there were enemies, there are now friendships. Where there was fear and hate, there is now acceptance and tolerance.
Inter-America and Pacific Region
Since 1961, more than 73,000 Volunteers have served in the Inter-America and Pacific (IAP) region, in more than 46 countries. Today, more than 3000 Volunteers work in 24 posts in all six of the agency’s sectors: agriculture, business development, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and youth. The Fiji program was re-opened in 2003 and a program in Mexico opened for the first time in 2004.
The Peace Corps has intensified its role in the global effort to fight HIV/AIDS by training all Volunteers in Africa as educators and advocates of HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Regardless of their primary project, all Volunteers are being equipped to play a role in addressing the multiple health, social, and economic problems related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Peace Corps programs in Botswana and Swaziland are devoted entirely to fighting the disease. In addition, efforts are expanding into the Caribbean, where more Volunteers are focusing efforts on combating HIV/AIDS.
Information Technology
Volunteers provide technical training and support to groups and organizations that want to make better use of information and communications technology. They introduce people to the computer as a tool to increase efficiency and communication and to "leap frog" stages of development. Volunteers teach basic computer literacy skills, (e.g. word-processing, spreadsheets, basic accounting software, Internet use, and webpage development) and they introduce host communities to e-commerce, distance learning, and geographic information systems.
Expanding Into New Countries- Africa Region
Since Ghana received the first Peace Corps Volunteers in 1961, more than 60,000 Americans have served in 46 African countries. The Peace Corps continues to enjoy strong cooperation and support from the people of Africa. At the end of fiscal year 2011, some 3,000 Volunteers and trainees will be on board, working in 25 countries. In 2003, the re-opening of the Chad, Botswana, and Swaziland programs poised the Africa region for substantial growth.
Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Region
More than 48,250 Volunteers have served in the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia (EMA) region since 1961. EMA has well over 2,500 Volunteers and trainees working in 20 countries, most of which are undergoing rapid economic and social changes. Throughout the region, Volunteers work with governments, local organizations, and communities to provide needed technical expertise and promote cross-cultural understanding. Together, Volunteers and their counterparts work to address changing needs in agriculture, business, education, the environment, and health.
I would add to this description the work volunteers are doing in NIS countries, the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Volunteers work in all areas and on all issues relevant to the transitioning economic and political conditions of these former Soviet republics. It is transformative work at the local level, step by step. It is about getting to know these countries and their cultures, and about them getting to know about America. Where there were enemies, there are now friendships. Where there was fear and hate, there is now acceptance and tolerance.
Inter-America and Pacific Region
Since 1961, more than 73,000 Volunteers have served in the Inter-America and Pacific (IAP) region, in more than 46 countries. Today, more than 3000 Volunteers work in 24 posts in all six of the agency’s sectors: agriculture, business development, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and youth. The Fiji program was re-opened in 2003 and a program in Mexico opened for the first time in 2004.
Celebrations of the 50th anniversary are now taking place worldwide. We are celebrating in Ukraine, joining PCVs all over the globe. We hope the spirit of the Peace Corps infuses international affairs and diplomacy at the highest levels in this fast-changing world, where the yearning for freedom, self-determination and peace are driving popular protests, people's revolutions, and drastic social change.
Check out www.peacecorps.gov or the National Peace Corps Association website for more information and ongoing updates on what's happening where. Below is a list of agency-supported commemorative efforts. This calendar will be updated continually as events are confirmed:
Check out www.peacecorps.gov or the National Peace Corps Association website for more information and ongoing updates on what's happening where. Below is a list of agency-supported commemorative efforts. This calendar will be updated continually as events are confirmed:
January 3, 2011:Worldwide launch of the agency's 50th Anniversary Year Commemoration efforts including release of a commemorative poster created exclusively by a prominent American artist.
March 1, 2011: Worldwide launch of inaugural "Peace Corps Month"
March 2–4, 2011:Director Aaron Williams and Chris Matthews at UCLA, panel presentation and a film screening.
March 5, 2011: Kennedy Service Awards Ceremony, Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Mass.
March 17, 2011: National Archives and Records Administration panel discussion, Washington, D.C.
March 24, 2011: Director Williams will visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
April 2011: Congressional Community Event in Washington D.C.
May 18, 2011: Lillian Carter Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Senior RPCV, Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga.
June 30–July 11, 2011: Peace Corps will be a featured program at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Summer 2011: Peace Corps will honor the departure of the first group of Volunteers to Ghana and Tanganyika (later called Tanzania) and passage of the historic congressional authorization of the Peace Corps in September 1961.
September 23, 2011: United States Institute of Peace panel discussion, Washington, D.C.
March 1, 2011: Worldwide launch of inaugural "Peace Corps Month"
March 2–4, 2011:Director Aaron Williams and Chris Matthews at UCLA, panel presentation and a film screening.
March 5, 2011: Kennedy Service Awards Ceremony, Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Mass.
March 17, 2011: National Archives and Records Administration panel discussion, Washington, D.C.
March 24, 2011: Director Williams will visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
April 2011: Congressional Community Event in Washington D.C.
May 18, 2011: Lillian Carter Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Senior RPCV, Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga.
June 30–July 11, 2011: Peace Corps will be a featured program at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Summer 2011: Peace Corps will honor the departure of the first group of Volunteers to Ghana and Tanganyika (later called Tanzania) and passage of the historic congressional authorization of the Peace Corps in September 1961.
September 23, 2011: United States Institute of Peace panel discussion, Washington, D.C.
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