By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Monday, May 30, 2011 - 9:47 am: Edit Post |
Tunisia RPCV Lewis Cohen writes: I am optimistic about the future of Tunisia
I am optimistic about the future of Tunisia. Its large and growing middle class was exasperated by the criminal activity of its president. Its children - young, well-educated men and women - took to the streets to challenge their corrupt president. Their agenda was simple: freedom and democracy, not Islamic fundamentalism.
Tunisia RPCV Lewis Cohen writes: I am optimistic about the future of Tunisia
In the Heat of the Tunisian Revolution
Published: January 20, 2011
Re "More Officials Quit in Tunisia Amid Protests" (front page, Jan. 19):
I am optimistic about the future of Tunisia. Its large and growing middle class was exasperated by the criminal activity of its president. Its children - young, well-educated men and women - took to the streets to challenge their corrupt president. Their agenda was simple: freedom and democracy, not Islamic fundamentalism.
Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, sowed the seeds of the Jasmine Revolution with his social and educational reforms of the 1960s and '70s. They are a foundation for political change. Fifty years later, the grandchildren of Tunisia's independence generation have opened the door to democratic reform.
At this time of upheaval, Tunisians in the streets are already answering skeptics who ask, "Where are the experienced leaders who can carry out democratic reforms?" One told an NPR reporter: "The answer is all around you. Look at us; we are educated, intelligent and capable of creating a government that works." They certainly are.
Lewis Cohen
Washington, Jan. 19, 2011
The writer, a retired Foreign Service officer, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunis.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Tunisia; Directory of Tunisia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Tunisia RPCVs; Politics; Speaking Out
When this story was posted in May 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Congress Holds Hearings on Sexual Assault
Congress held hearings on the sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers. Read the testimony of returned and current Peace Corps volunteers on how the problem is still ongoing, and not limited to any particular country or region. Director Williams says that "it has become apparent to me that the Peace Corps has not always been sufficiently responsive or sensitive to victims of crime and their families. I sincerely regret that." Read what the Peace Corps is doing to address the issue.
Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years
As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest.
How Volunteers Remember Sarge
As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."
PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.
Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .
Read the stories and leave your comments.