March 9, 2012 – Peace Corps Worldwide

Leaving El Salvador 1980 Final

Mar 09 2012

The following document summarizes how events dictated the final decision: “Summary of Events Leading to the Withdrawal of Peace Corps Volunteers from El Salvador” (DNSA/GWU:Collection: El Salvador, The Making of U.S. Policy 1977-1984, Item Number: ES00332) In early January, PC Deputy Director William Sykes and LAC Regional Director Paul Bell traveled to El Salvador to assess the situation. After much dialogue with PCVs, PC staff, American Embassy and GOES officials, the recommendation was given to Peace Corps Director Richard Celeste not to withdraw the PCVS. (My note: there is an attachment referenced describing the reasons behind this recommendation. I could not locate it. It is cited as ” Attachment I, Appendix A.”). It was hoped that the second Civilian military junta…would be able to stabilize the situation in El Salvador… However, violence continued to escalate. On January 31, 1980, PC Director Celeste made the decision to pull the volunteers . . .

Talking with Jane Albritton, Editor of the Peace Corps at 50 Project

Mar 09 2012

Interview by Lawrence F. Lihosit (Honduras 1975–77) WHILE MOST OF US STRUGGLE with our own Peace Corps memoir, Jane Albritton undertook a herculean task: to gather enough Peace Corps personal experience essays to fill a multi-volume anthology. After four years of intense work, she completed the task in 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps’ inception. The four volumes include more than 200 essays that describe the Peace Corps Experience in 88 of the 139 nations served during the past half century. The principal and founder of a writing and editing firm (as well as a university writing instructor), Jane began the Peace Corps at 50 Project with the posting of a very unusual website and an all-call for personal experience essay submissions. As the series editor, she recruited editors, oversaw editing, negotiated publication, supervised formatting, cover design and finally manages marketing. What on earth inspired . . .

Now Here's a Great Idea and Event in D.C.

Mar 09 2012

Peace Corps Town Hall Meeting Looking forward to the next 50 years RPCV/W cordially invites you to attend a Peace Corps Town Hall Meeting What: a forum with returned volunteers and Peace Corps leadership to listen and discuss current agency initiatives Where: Peace Corps Headquarters, Shriver Hall; 1111 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20526 When: March 14, 2012 from 6PM – 7PM (please arrive 10-15 minutes early to clear security and check in at registration) How: you must register to attend, (open to members and non-members) Program: 1. Welcome and introduction from RPCV/W leadership 2. Remarks from the RPCV/W President Chris Austin 3. Remarks from the NPCA President-Kevin Quigley 4. Remarks from Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams 5. Q & A, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions, questions submitted online will also be addressed Have questions but can’t attend the town hall? Email your questions to Kristina . . .

Archive - March 9, 2012