August 22, 2011 – Peace Corps Worldwide

Peace Corps Writers on BBC Radio

Aug 22 2011

The Peace Corps Writers Next on: Next Monday, 11:00 on BBC Radio 4 Synopsis President John F Kennedy sent out an ‘army’ of everyday US citizens to every corner of the globe – the Peace Corps. His big idea was to counter the idea of the ‘ugly American’ and in some way stem the spread of communism. Bridget Kendall goes to the United States to meet former Peace Corps volunteers and evaluate their role as America’s ‘missionaries of democracy’. And to hear, in their own words, their incredible tales. Up to a point, JFK’s concept was to fill skills and training gaps in developing countries, similar UK’s VSO (Volunteer Services Overseas). Beyond that was an explicit mission to open America up to the world, to learn about foreign peoples and customs, and bring that knowledge back to out-of-touch Americans. After 50 years, 200,000 volunteers have returned home from far-flung regions . . .

Former volunteers to rally against possible funding cuts to Peace Corps

Aug 22 2011

Former volunteers to rally against possible funding cuts to Peace Corps Marshall Wolff/for Daily News and Wicked Local U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, D-7th, right, listens to David Magnani speak about funding the Peace Corps last night during a meeting in Magnani’s Framingham home. By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff Posted Aug 18, 2011 @ 12:00 AM FRAMINGHAM – U.S. Rep. Ed Markey rallied a crowd of Democrats last night to lobby against deep cuts for the Peace Corps, saying the country ought to prioritize the aid program over bombs. As a newly formed congressional committee looks to slice $1 trillion from the nation’s budget, Markey called on citizens to stop Republicans from trying to slash funding for the organization. Rather than raise money through new taxes for the wealthy, conservatives will pit one federal program such as the Peace Corps against another, such as a Medicare, he said. “This is a . . .

Washington Post Writes….

Aug 22 2011

Crimes against volunteers vex Peace Corps By Lisa Rein Published: August 20 A Peace Corps volunteer had been raped in Bolivia and wanted justice. Within hours, Julie De Mello was on an airplane from Washington to meet the victim. De Mello, employed by the Peace Corps inspector general as a senior federal agent investigating crimes against volunteers, worked with the 23-year-old victim, Erin Bingham, to sketch the attacker. De Mello went with Bingham to a police lineup, hired a lawyer to represent her and worked with local police to track down witnesses. De Mello believes her advocacy helped convict the rapist in 2008. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Today, a Peace Corps volunteer who is the victim of a violent crime is likely to get a far less aggressive U.S. government response. De Mello quit three years ago, after the agency grounded her and the four other investigators . . .

Archive - August 22, 2011