Difference between revisions of "The Peace Corps."

Revision as of 18:21, 31 August 2008

Summary

With the aim of promoting world peace and friendship, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. As written in the original mission statement,^[1] the organization was based upon three goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

The organization grew throughout the decade, fulfilling President Kennedy's call for American citizens to be the first in beginning the movement toward eventual international prosperity and peace. Drawing attention to the worldwide suffering that had previously been ignored, the Peace Corps became a cause that many could wholeheartedly contribute to and support. Thought some opposition did present itself throughout the 60s, more and more Americans began packing up and volunteering overseas, turning Kennedy's dream into a reality that still exists today.

Precursors

Gubernatorial Origins

Kennedy's Contribution

For the sake of promoting his ideas about the Peace Corps, John F. Kennedy had a late night on October 14, 1960. At 2:00 a.m., Kennedy began a speech to students at the University of Michigan, urging them to focus on "a greater purpose:" helping to solve problems abroad.

How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world? On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your sillingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whther a free society can compete. I think it can! And I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effor must be far greater than we have ever made in the past. </blockquote>

Reception

• Significant events & actions
• watershed moments
• turning points and phases of the organization

Success?

• individuals both inside the organization and out who impacted it’s course

The Peace Corps Today

Volunteers now serve in 74 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East working in areas such as education, youth outreach and community develpment.^[2]

Significant People

References

1. ↑ http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.mission
2. ↑ http://www.peacecorps.gov

== External links ==