Brazil RPCV Bill Reese to head International Youth Foundation



Brazil RPCV Bill Reese to head International Youth Foundation

International Youth Foundation Board Announces New President & CEO
December 22, 2004

Sir David Bell, Chair of the International Youth Foundation’s (IYF) board and Chairman of the Financial Times Group, announced today the election of William S. Reese as IYF’s President and CEO, effective January 1, 2005.

“Bill Reese has served IYF with enormous effectiveness for nearly seven years as our Chief Operating Officer, expanding our global partner network and building public-private alliances to improve the lives of young people across the globe,” said David Bell. “Our Board is excited about the new opportunities ahead, and sees a seamless transition.”

The IYF Board took this decision at their end-of-year board meeting in Paris, after current CEO David W. Hornbeck announced his intentions to leave IYF to help launch a national grass roots advocacy initiative to promote the interests of children and youth.

For more information contact Karen Diakun, Vice President, Communications at +1-410-951-2328, kdiakun@iyfnet.org or go to www.iyfnet.org

“It has been a real privilege to serve IYF for these past 15 months,” said Hornbeck. “The committed staff and Board, the strength of a worldwide partner network, and programs making visible differences in young lives – all these made this decision very difficult. However, my growing concern about the challenges faced by children and youth, especially the poor and others living at the margins, both in the United States and abroad has led me to this decision. Basic opportunities and protections for them need to be strengthened through advocacy. These challenges can only be met if ordinary citizens take action. Thus, I will devote my energies fulltime to help build a national grassroots movement for change.”

IYF was founded in 1990 to promote positive youth development and improve the conditions and prospects for young people. It operates today in close to 70 countries and territories through a network of nationally operating foundations and NGOs, together focusing efforts in the areas of education, employment, health and youth leadership. Major funding partners and stakeholders include global corporations, foundations and bi-lateral agencies.

Added Chairman Bell: “IYF has had a remarkable year in 2004, including the expansion of programs that have yielded measurable results for children and youth around the world and the establishment of partnerships bringing new resources totaling more than $33 million. We highly commend David Hornbeck for the significant contributions he has made over the past year and look forward to Bill Reese assuming his new role in 2005.”

“I am honored to be asked to lead this organization that invests in proven strategies and believes in creating lasting and positive change in young people’s lives,” said Reese. “The fact that half the world’s population is under 25 calls for IYF and its partners to empower young people and give them the skills and opportunities they need to be successful and contribute to their communities.”

For more information contact Karen Diakun, Vice President, Communications at 410-951-2328, kdiakun@iyfnet.org, or go to www.iyfnet.org .

When this story was posted in February 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Peace Corps Library Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in over 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related reference material in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can use the Main Index to find hundreds of stories about RPCVs who have your same interests, who served in your Country of Service, or who serve in your state.

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WWII participants became RPCVs Read about two RPCVs who participated in World War II in very different ways long before there was a Peace Corps. Retired Rear Adm. Francis J. Thomas (RPCV Fiji), a decorated hero of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 at 100. Mary Smeltzer (RPCV Botswana), 89, followed her Japanese students into WWII internment camps. We honor both RPCVs for their service.

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RPCVs active in new session of Congress In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.

Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?

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