187,000 Former Volunteers Celebrate the 46th Anniversary of the Peace Corps

WASHINGTON, D.C. - From February 26 to March 4, 2007, thousands of former Peace Corps Volunteers representing service in more than 139 countries will share their overseas experiences in communities around the United States. Through these presentations during Peace Corps Week, former Volunteers help raise awareness of the Peace Corps as a resource for U.S. educators who want to incorporate Volunteers’ stories in the classroom. They also highlight the opportunity to serve as a Volunteer and the many benefits of Peace Corps service.

Among the Peace Corps week celebrations and activities, “Volunteer Match,” an international phone linkage activity, will connect over 30 U.S. classrooms directly with Peace Corps Volunteers in the field. In some cases, the U.S. classroom correspondents will be able to speak with host country nationals invited by the Volunteer to discuss cultural differences and similarities. These phone calls will perpetuate Peace Corps’ goal of advancing peace and friendship worldwide by promoting cross-cultural understanding between schools across America and Peace Corps Volunteers’ host communities.

Other events to be held throughout the country in honor of Peace Corps Week include Peace Corps fairs at universities, Peace Corps anniversary celebrations, community service projects, and presentations that promote volunteerism and global service. Additionally, members of the U.S. Congress, 22 State Governors and many municipal leaders will be recognizing the service of Volunteers from their communities in proclamations and official statements.

“I’m proud to be honoring the service of the 187,000 Americans who have served as Peace Corps Volunteers,” said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. “When Volunteers speak about their Peace Corps experiences, they share their deep understanding of the people and cultures around the world. Their unique Volunteer service demonstrates what’s at the heart of the Peace Corps—the promotion of peace and friendship worldwide.”

Today, more than 7,749 volunteers live and work in more than 73 countries around the globe. Peace Corps volunteers work in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture.

For information about joining the Peace Corps, call 1-800-424-8580 (press 1) to speak to a local recruiter. To learn more about Peace Corps Week, call 1-800-424-8580 (press 2, then ext. 1961) or e-mail pcweek@peacecorps.gov. Or, visit the Peace Corps Web site at www.peacecorps.gov.

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