Peace Corps’ return enhances relations with Botswana
Read and comment on this story from the Republic of Botswana Daily News on the return of the Peace Corps to Botswana. "The strong and excellent relations between the two countries do not only manifests themselves at the level of government and private sector, but also in people-to-people relations," said Botswana President Festus Mogae. Read the story at:
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US peace corps’ return enhances relations 02 June, 2003
The return of American peace corps volunteers to Botswana has been hailed as a symbol of solidarity, friendship and partnership.
"The strong and excellent relations between the two countries do not only manifests themselves at the level of government and private sector, but also in people-to-people relations," President Festus Mogae said in Mochudi on Tuesday.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the volunteers, Mogae said their stay in Botswana would enhance greater mutual understanding between the people of Botswana and the United States.
US peace corps have returned at the request of Botswana, specifically to assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The programme was terminated in 1997 after operating in the country since 1966.
Mogae applauded President George Bush and the US government for acceding to his country’s request for the resumption of the programme.
The volunteers will be posted to the various regions to work with District Multi-Sectoral AIDS committees in the preparation of strategies and plans aimed at integrating and mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into the development efforts.
Also, the committees are expected to step up monitoring and evaluation activities, as well as collecting data that can be used as indicators which will ultimately enable government to determine whether the programmes are having the desire impact.
Mogae said their presence was a welcome boost to the invaluable assistance Botswana was already receiving from the US public and the private sectors in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He commended the volunteers for recogning that the fight against HIV/AIDS "is not a problem of an individual nation, but a global challenge, which demands a global effort to tackle".
The relation between Botswana and the American peace corps was established at the attainment of Botswana’s independence in 1966.
Sir Seretse Khama, the country’s first president, formalised the terms governing the operations and conditions of peace corps volunteers in Botswana through a project agreement signed in 1971. BOPA Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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