Bob Arias says "I was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1964 to 1966, serving in the Andean mountains of Colombia while my younger brother, Ron, served in Peru"



Bob Arias says "I was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1964 to 1966, serving in the Andean mountains of Colombia while my younger brother, Ron, served in Peru"

Peace Corps forges new bonds

BOB ARIAS

December 13, 2004

I was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1964 to 1966, serving in the Andean mountains of Colombia while my younger brother, Ron, served in Peru.

We knew that President Kennedy had talked about sending Peace Corps volunteers to Mexico, stressing the importance to the people of both countries.

However, his dream would have to wait 40-plus years before the first group of volunteers would begin their service in that nation.

Now, after two years of negotiations between Mexico and the United States, a partnership agreement has been signed between the Mexican National Council on Science and Technology and Peace Corps, inviting American volunteers to share their skills with their Mexican counterparts in the areas of information technology, small-business development, science, water and environmental technology.

As it turns out, Oregon will play an important role in working with the Mexican citizens and their government agencies.

At the request and invitation of the government of Mexico, this joint effort between Mexico and the United States will give us the opportunity to learn and exchange ideas and skills with our Mexican national counterparts.

I know from my own experience that the volunteers will learn much from the Mexican citizens who they will meet.

They will learn to appreciate and respect the differences in our cultures, make friends that will last a lifetime, and return home after two years of service proud of the bond that will be built between these two great nations.

As Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez said, "A tremendous opportunity to forge new relationships with our closest neighbor has arrived. Today, we begin a new level of partnership with the government and the people of Mexico."

This new group of volunteers started their 12 weeks of extensive training in October in Queretaro, Mexico. Interestingly, of the 11 volunteers of this historic first group, three are from Oregon. I know we can count on them to represent Oregon and the Northwest with pride.

Their experience will make them better citizens abroad and here at home. The knowledge of living and working with Mexican nationals will make them valuable assets to their community and the nation.

They will join a unique group of 171,000 Peace Corps volunteers who have served since 1961, bringing home the skills and experience to share with their fellow citizens. They are making history, and Oregon should be proud of them.

Bob Arias of Salem is a retired Peace Corps country director. He can be reach by e-mail at cuerpodepaz64@yahoo.com

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

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RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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