Peace Corps, NPCA, and other RPCV representatives have begun the 50th anniversary planning. Below are highlights of discussions so far with particular emphasis on opportunities for RPCV affiliate groups. Beginning next month, January 2008, updates, information, ideas, themes, discussions, and more will be available through the Peace Corps website and the NPCA website.
Peace Corps begins planning for 50th Anniversary
2011: Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary
12/14/07
Peace Corps, NPCA, and other RPCV representatives have begun the 50th anniversary planning. Below are highlights of discussions so far with particular emphasis on opportunities for RPCV affiliate groups. Beginning next month, January 2008, updates, information, ideas, themes, discussions, and more will be available through the Peace Corps website and the NPCA website.
Some guiding principles for the 50th anniversary:
Celebrate first 50 years, launch next 50 years
Honor roots, legacy, Volunteers and their international and domestic communities, Peace Corps mission and three goals.
Ensure that the 50th anniversary belongs to very broad Peace Corps family and the public
Emphasize Peace Corps’ endurance, permanency and archive, celebrate, and use Peace Corps’ rich history, drawing on facts and individual stories
Plan activities and events consistent with Peace Corps values and three goals
Begin by planning infrastructure, broad themes, dates, and venues, then focus increasingly on specific events, content, and participation as 2011 approaches.
Focus local / national / international events between March 1 and Sept 25, 2011 to coincide with the dates of the Executive Order and signed Legislation.
Key Dates and Events:
Washington DC (2011)
Celebration on Mall, September 22 – 25, 2011. This four-day event will celebrate Peace Corps, past, present and future. Numerous events being proposed in context of above guiding principles. Traditional wreath-laying at Kennedy grave, with walk across Memorial Bridge bearing flags of all PC countries on September 25. Geographic, Country of Service, and other RPCV-related groups can plan activities around these dates and link with the mall celebration.
Some related activities being discussed for week of September 22:
Event for former Peace Corps staff
National Archives Peace Corps film festival and reception
Library of Congress Reception (Sept 24)
Honoring Peace Corps writers and their books, articles, and stories
National Geographic reception / exhibit
Boston (2011)
Kennedy Library Evening Event. March 1, 2011.
Around the Nation (2009 – 2011)
Local community Peace Corps exhibits. Peace Corps is preparing core exhibit material (photos, historical documents, etc.) to make available for interested local groups to use to augment their own materials for preparing displays, exhibits, receptions honoring Peace Corps in their communities.
Regional Recruiting Office-related events and activities. These will be developed in cooperation with local groups. In addition, each office is identifying a theme consistent with contributions to Peace Corps of different regions of the country.
International (2011)
In-country identified 50th anniversary Peace Corps Volunteer project(s) for each country in which Peace Corps is currently serving. Each to be identified in 2008 or 2009 to be completed in 2011. Country of service groups collaborate in this effort.
Country-of-service groups for those countries in which Peace Corps is not now serving could consider similar types of projects.
In-country celebrations / recognitions. These will vary by individual country and based on histories, resources, materials, host government and RPCV interests. (May focus on PC entry anniversaries.)
Commemoration:
50th anniversary Peace Corps stamp. Letter of request drafted and being send this month (December). Normally, an organization can be recognized by a stamp only once every 50 years. Since Peace Corps had an official stamp for its 10th anniversary, letters and phone calls from local groups in support of the stamp will be important. More information will available in January 2008.
50th anniversary archive. Peace Corps is building a structure for a 50th anniversary archive, material from which can be used by different groups for national/international/local events throughout year. Further details, including how to contribute to the archives, will be available in April 2008.
50th anniversary Peace Corps website. Early January 2008, Peace Corps will add a 50th website to its home page (www.peacecorps.gov/50) This site will grow over time and will include “save the date” information, ways groups can mark the anniversary, updates on plans for 2011 as they evolve, and contact information for groups developing anniversary plans. The NPCA website is also available for updates.
--- submitted by Jody Olsen, Deputy Director, Peace Corps
