1. A Legacy of Service Since 1961
Ambassadors of Peace
The Peace Corps’ mission has three simple goals:
- Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Health Volunteer in Paraguay
Volunteer in Mongolia in his ‘ger’ (living like the locals)
HIV/AIDS Volunteers in Uganda
E ntering the offices of the Peace Corps headquarters programs intended to reach a cross-section of America,
may give one the same feel as a number of other such as a 50+ recruiting effort expected to boost the
buildings in Washington, DC – minus the flags and pictures number of older Volunteers. An online educational game,
from countries around the world that adorn the hallways. “Peace Corps Challenge,” also reaches out to the younger
However, the story behind the structure in downtown DC is generation, giving children the opportunity to work in a
anything but status quo. fictional village and solve challenges real Volunteers face,
The Peace Corps is an American icon that traces its ranging from water contamination to micro-finance. There
roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. is also a teen website and correspondence program that
Kennedy challenged students at the University of matches schools from throughout America with Volunteers
Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by serving in the field.
living and working in developing countries. The message Peace Corps Volunteers typically serve for 27 months,
endures from Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address with the initial three months being devoted to language
beckoning citizens to “…ask not what your country can do and cross-cultural training. Volunteers are then placed in
for you – ask what you can do for your country.” The Peace communities that draw upon their experience in education,
Corps was officially established on March 1, 1961, and since youth outreach, and community development; business
that time over 190,000 Volunteers have served development; agriculture and environment; health and
in 139 countries to work on a variety of issues spanning HIV/AIDS; and information technology. Within these areas,
five decades. the specific duties and responsibilities of each Volunteer can
Today, the Peace Corps has reached a new plateau, with vary widely and no two days are alike.
over 8,000 active Volunteers serving in 74 countries, but the
www.PeaceCorps.gov
organization isn’t inclined to sit on a step – it keeps climbing.
Tel +1.800.424.8580
Such a mandate has witnessed the launching of
President Kennedy greets first Peace Corps Volunteers departing for Africa in 1961
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