February 15, 2002 - White House Press Release: Peace Corps to Expand to new Countries, Return to Central Asia
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February 15, 2002 - White House Press Release: Peace Corps to Expand to new Countries, Return to Central Asia
Peace Corps to Expand to New Countries, Return to Central Asia
Read and comment on this White House Press Release on for the Peace Corps to send team to Afghanistan to evalaute opportunities for service at:
Fact Sheet: the President's Commitment to Strengthening the Peace Corps *
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
Fact Sheet: the President's Commitment to Strengthening the Peace Corps
The President's Commitment to Strengthening the Peace Corps
Today's Presidential Action:
- Today, President Bush outlined his initiative to double the size of the Peace Corps over the next five years and expand the number of countries in which Peace Corps volunteers are active.
- The President also announced that a special Peace Corps assessment team will travel to Afghanistan to evaluate needs and opportunities for Peace Corps volunteers to assist the Afghan people in rebuilding their nation.
Background on the President's Commitment to Strengthen the Peace Corps:
Launched on January 29, 2002 as part of President Bush's State of the Union Address, the USA Freedom Corps is an effort to foster a culture of responsibility, citizenship and service, building on the generous spirit of the American people. That effort begins with President Bush's two-year call to service -- his challenge that every American devote at least 4,000 hours to service to their community, our nation or the world.
The USA Freedom Corps will work to offer expanded service opportunities for Americans at home and abroad through the newly created Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps, and the Peace Corps -- and in cooperation with volunteer organizations large and small.
The USA Freedom Corps represents a broad call to action. One way the federal government can help to support action by willing volunteers is strengthening existing federal service opportunities -- including Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is unique among federal service programs because it allows Americans to serve in countries around the world.
Through the USA Freedom Corps effort, President Bush seeks to strengthen the Peace Corps as an organization and offer the talent of Peace Corps volunteers to new countries around the world.
- Doubling the Size of the Peace Corps: There are currently 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 70 countries around the world. President Bush pledged to double the size of the Peace Corps over the next five years -- bringing the Peace Corps close to its peak enrollment levels of the mid-1960s.
- Increasing the Number of Countries Where Peace Corps Members Serve: President Bush will work to expand opportunities for American volunteers to serve in countries where the Peace Corps does not currently have a presence and where the needs for Peace Corps assistance may be great. This includes expanding Peace Corps service in Islamic countries.
- Within the next 6 months, a number of countries - including East Timor and Peru - will welcome Peace Corps volunteers. And, over the next two months, Peace Corps volunteers will be returning to the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in Central Asia.
- Peace Corps assessment teams will be sent to countries like Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Swaziland and Chad to evaluate opportunities for service.
- Sending Crisis Corps Members to Assist the Rebuilding of Afghanistan: An assessment team of Peace Corps staff members and experienced Peace Corps volunteers - part of the Crisis Corps program - will travel to Afghanistan within weeks to evaluate opportunities for the Peace Corps to assist the Afghan people in rebuilding.
- Expediting Applications for Peace Corps Volunteers: President Bush also called for streamlining the application process for Peace Corps volunteers, as well as improving the management, information technology and other skills and training to expand opportunities for today's Peace Corps members.
Since President Bush announced his USA Freedom Corps initiative on January 29, more than 2,775 potential Peace Corps volunteers have started applications and almost 7,000 men and women have contacted the Peace Corps to ask about volunteering. The Peace Corps estimates that there has been a 300% increase in volunteer interest.
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This story has been posted in the following forums: Headlines; Special Reports; US Peace Corps; Afghanistan
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Well, I will admit this is from a mom's point of view whose daughter was in ,both , the Peace Corps and the Crisis Corps.She was in Senegal for 21/2 yrs . and then in Guinea for 6 mons. She loved it, especially Guinea, after having been in Sokone, Senegal.In Guinea she was assigned to Gueckedou,but, shortly, after arriving there, rebel activity broke out and she was, quickly, evacuated back to the capital, Conakry.Her original duty was to help the refugees,but,couldn't , so she had, sort of ,administrative duties in Conakry.She loved every minute of her time in Africa.She loved the people and they loved and welcomed her with open arms.I was and will ever be so proud of her.There is nothing more rewarding than volunteerism. These people are, mostly, of the Islam faith, but peaceful, where she lived. I ,however, would have reservations if my daughter were assigned to Afhganistan or neighboring countries in that area.
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By Richard Redenius on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 3:55 pm: Edit Post |
swaziland is worth paying close attention to.
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By Richard Redenius on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 3:55 pm: Edit Post |
swaziland is worth paying close attention to.