Peace Corps Essay, Research Paper
The Peace Corps is a volunteer service, in which Americans are sent to help undeveloped and extremely poor countries. The volunteers stay in these host countries for two years. They live with the people, in many times poor conditions, and serve and work together with the people of the country. In doing this, the Peace Corps have three major goals: 1) To provide volunteers who give to the social and economic development of interested countries. 2) To promote a better understanding of Americans among the people who the volunteers serve. 3) To strengthen Americans? understanding about the world and its people. Most of all, the organization promotes world peace, and understanding between America and all the other nations and people of the world. It is a United States government agency, and is funded by tax dollars. How did the Peace Corps come to be? It is a very difficult political web of happenings, but can be summed together pretty easily; In the early1960?s the young people of the nation had grown tired of sitting around, they believed America was becoming snobbish and conceited. They wanted change; they wanted to change the world. Then the first sight of that chance came. President Kennedy went to the University of Michigan on October 14, 1960 (though the Peace Corps was originally established on March 1, 1961). In his speech that day, he asked a group of ten thousand students present: “How many of you are willing to spend ten years in Africa or Latin America or Asia working for the US and working for freedom?” This idea, the idea that later became the Peace Corps, gave the chance to quench this thirst for change, and more importantly, action. ?The Peace Corps oath of allegiance for many of us has meant a lifetime pledge of public service, of community concern, and of international awareness. Finding myself now with the opportunity to lead the Peace Corps constitutes a moment of rare fortune.? [Mark L. Schneider
Shriver Hall, Peace Corps Headquarters, Washington, D.C. January 7, 2000]
As a people to people organization, the Peace Corps has depended upon the dedication and commitment of individual Americans for two years, in countries that have requested them. The Peace Corps seeks out people with skill and the dedication to use their skill to help others. It takes a huge amount of commitment because volunteers are placed in the same poor environments as the native citizens. These places usually have no electricity or running water, things that we often taken for granted. “It was an enormous culture shock. One moment I was watching the Sonics game in Chicago and the next, I?m in a little hut in Kenya watching a woman milk a cow.” [Melvin Smith, a Peace Corps veteran in Kenya from 1993, 1995] However, the Peace Core was not created to let Americans shock and dare themselves but instead to export America?s potential and brilliance. It trys to find people like Melvin Smith who gave up the luxuries and comfort of his home for a life in a developing country with a dedication to make a difference in their society.
Senator Hubert Humphrey and Congressman Henry S. Reuss mainly masterminded the plan behind the Peace Corps. However, Kennedy was the person who expressed it. He did so at his speech at the University of Michigan, and many other speeches, including his inaugural address. Especially with his famous line: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” (today this line is kind-of a motto for the Peace Corps). Also, in March of 1961, after being elected president, Kennedy did as he promised, and gave the executive order creating the Peace Corps. Less than half a year later volunteers were already being sent to Ghana. By the end of 1961, the Peace Corps grew to serve a dozen countries, and had close to a thousand volunteers. ?We have Peace Corps Volunteers serving in the poorest towns of Bolivia, Benin, and Bangladesh as well as rural villages of South Africa, Slovakia and the Solomon Islands. Everywhere they serve, they have a common purpose and common goals. President John F. Kennedy explained that purpose as contributing to world peace and international understanding. The goals were three-fold. First, to improve the lives of people in developing countries, particularly among the poorest communities. The second goal was to convey an understanding of the people of the United States, our values and our ideals, through the friendships and relationships that develop by living and working side by side with the people of other lands. The third goal was the flip side of the cross-cultural coin?Peace Corps Volunteers would convey here in the United States a personal knowledge of other people, other cultures, and other realities when they return.? [Remarks by the Honorable Mark L. Schneider Director of the Peace Corps, Yale University-April 12, 2000]
Within the next few years, the number of countries with programs more than doubled, and in 1966, the number of volunteers reached the highest in history of over 15,000. In 1981, it celebrated its 20th anniversary, and received congratulations from President Reagan. By this point it had had programs in 88 countries, and build up almost a hundred thousand former students. In 1989 the “world wise schools” plan was put in place. This plan had elementary and junior high classes going with the volunteers to the countries, to help promote worldwide awareness. In 1995, a new form of the Peace Corps, the Crisis Corps, was created to help nations in cases of emergencies.
Today the Peace Corps continue to help countries in need, and to promote world peace. The volunteers continue to help countries in the areas of agriculture, education, health, and trade. However, today they are also helping countries in the areas of teaching English, business, city planning, youth programs, and even the environment. The education is at 40 percent, the environment is 17 percent, health is 18 percent, business is at 13 percent, the agriculture is 9 percent, and there is 3 percent of other. These are the current percentages of learning or helping that the Peace Core is working on. The total amount of volunteers and trainees throughout history is 155,000, and they have served 134 countries. The current number of volunteers and trainees is 7000. 61 percent of that is women, the other 39 percent is male; 93 percent of these people are single, and 7 percent are married. The average age of a Peace Corps volunteer is 28 years old with the median being 25 years old. The oldest volunteer in the Peace Core is 79. Of the Peace Corps volunteers, 82 percent are undergraduates, and 13 percent have graduated in studies or have degrees. The budget for this year (2000) is $244 million.
The regions in which most of their effort is concentrated are Africa, South America, the Pacific, Asia, the former Soviet Union, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. President Clinton plans to try to get the Peace Corps an increase in funding of about twenty percent. If he is able to, it is hoped that within the next few years the number of volunteers can be raised to ten thousand, and that the Peace Corps could have programs in the new Crisis Corps programs. Then they could help an even greater number of countries; this extra money could also help with Crisis Corps. Peace Corps volunteers go and help countries suffering from current disasters by working through non-governmental agencies, relief agencies, and development agencies. A part of the Peace Corps that is not fully pointed out is the people of countries who have or are receiving aid through the Peace Corps, they gain new knowledge to improve their lives, but they also have to want to do it for themselves. With any luck these people can put the knowledge into use, and combined with the nonstop aid of the Peace Corps, can give power to themselves to improve their lives, but hopefully also improve the lives of others.
Without the Peace Corps, the world would not have one of the great opportunities to grow together. One volunteer can affect just one person in his/her host country. Yet, that person who becomes enriched with new knowledge and hope can infuse that into his family, who slowly will introduce this into their village, and at some point the entire country. All the while America, through the volunteers, is improving affairs with other countries, while other nations are able to do the same; with both parties learning so much about each other, and through each other. As far as I can see, this is nothing but a good cause. I think that the main goal of the Peace Corps is a worldwide understanding between all people. For all the countries and people they have helped, that they will one day do the same for others; and as long as the Peace Corps is around, we know that at lest we are moving in that direction.
Другие работы по теме:
Benvolio Essay Research Paper During the course
Benvolio Essay, Research Paper During the course of the play, Benvolio often emerges as the peacemaker. We can see right from the start where he tries to stop a brawl between the servants of two families in act 1 scene 1 ?Part fools. Put up thy swords, you know not what you do? He fights only when he is attacked ?I do but keep peace.
World Peace Essay Research Paper World peace
World Peace Essay, Research Paper World peace to me is like an eight billion-piece puzzle. It’s as if you can only do so much by yourself until you need a helping hand. Just like a puzzle, the world can look perfect for an amount of time until someone decides to destroy its beauty. We all wish that the puzzle would never come apart but in time everything dose.
Why American Troops Are Being Sent Overseas
Essay, Research Paper American troops are being sent overseas to maintain peace in a nation involved in a civil war. Whether the peace troops should or should not be sent overseas, they are being sent overseas.
A Separate Peace Essay Research Paper What
A Separate Peace Essay, Research Paper What point of view does each character show in regards to their attitude to the war?The war is a symbol of how things are not always what they seem. Recruiting posters and propaganda to join the army convinced many boys into thinking the war is an exciting adventure. ?The characters Gene, Finny, and Leper are used as opposing forces struggle between that cold reality of war and a separate peace?(Brian, Gatten), A peace away from the real war and all the terrible things that come.
Congress Of Vienna Essay Research Paper Congress
Congress Of Vienna Essay, Research Paper Congress Of Vienna The Congress of Vienna was certainly a great piece of history. But was it is great success, or a great failure? Personally, I think it was a great success. Many things were accomplished, like balance of power, a way to settle disputes peacefully, and peace & stability were restored.
King Hussein Essay Research Paper Jeffery SheuINTRODUCTIONHi
King Hussein Essay, Research Paper Jeffery Sheu INTRODUCTION Hi, my name is Jeff, my topic is about Jordan and the peace talks, or in other words about King Hussein dying, the fights with Palestinians. I personally chose this theme because it really interests me. I could have done Y2K, the space station, or even the President, but those did not interest me so if I did do it I wouldn t have gotten a good grade.
Jane Addams Essay Research Paper Founder of
Jane Addams Essay, Research Paper Founder of Hull-House in Chicago, first president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and co-winner of the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize, Jane Addams was a dedicated crusader for
War Is Peace Essay Research Paper WAR
War Is Peace Essay, Research Paper WAR IS PEACE leads people to believe that war is a good thing when in reality it is only good for the government that they should believe this. Ironically, it is almost true, at lest in 1984. Because the states are at war, they are locked in perpetual deadlock. The war never endangers any of the state’s important land and it prevents the equal distribution of goods by consuming them.
Wilson And Wwi Essay Research Paper War
Wilson And Wwi Essay, Research Paper War does not always have the simple goal of killing as many of the enemy as you can. The motives behind war are often complex and not always vicious attempts to gain power. Often times a nation must enter a war to secure peace in the future. This was the case when Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war.
United States Marines Essay Research Paper UNITED
United States Marines Essay, Research Paper UNITED STATES MARINES What is a Peace Hero? Webster describes a hero as, A man noted for courageous acts or nobility of purpose. One who has risked or sacrificed his life . Peace is described as, The absence of war or other hostilities . Isn t that the life of a Marine? Every day they are willing to risk their lives for the courageous act of peace.
How Important Was The My Lai Massacre
In Generating Support For The Peace Protest Movement? Essay, Research Paper The Peace Protest Movement was a time in the Vietnam war when people disagreed with it. This was because of a number of things. The amount of money it was costing, The amount of people killed, but it originated largely from the massacre at My Lai.
Iroquois Essay Research Paper The Iroquois
Iroquois Essay, Research Paper The Iroquois The Iroquois is a tribe of the Eastern Woodland indians. The Iroquois is one tribe that is seperated into five groups. These groups are called , Seneca ,
Cukoo Essay Research Paper McMurphyMcMurphy 35 years
Cukoo Essay, Research Paper McMurphy McMurphy, 35 years old, plays the role of a mental patient. He was brought into the ward because he pretended to be crazy and everybody believed him. McMurphy was arrested for assault (fighting in bars), drunkenness, disturbing the peace, repeated gambling, and statutory rape.
Nato Involvemnt Essay Research Paper The situation
Nato Involvemnt Essay, Research Paper The situation in Baltics is a terrible ordeal. NATO is attempting to help Serbians get through to the serbians and get them to sign a peace agreement. It is not yet successful. Yugoslavias president is becoming rattled, but not stopped. Every day many albanians and even serbs are dying.
The Patriotic Canadian Essay Research Paper For
The Patriotic Canadian Essay, Research Paper For over 130 years, Canada still keeps its word. Our Fathers of Canadian Confederation expressed their firm commitment when they signed the British North Amerian Act 139 years ago. Peace, Order and Good Government. For as long as I can remember, Canada has promoted peace any way possible.
Changes In Life Essay Research Paper Today
Changes In Life Essay, Research Paper Today we live in a society that is always changing. This is because of technology. New technology allows us to work faster and better than before. Unfortunately, people have not learned to live together in peace. If I ruled the world, I would try to bring all people together.
Keeping Peace In The Future Essay Research
Paper Keeping Peace In The Future In my opinion there are two main ways of securing peace in the up coming decades. The first way is that of a realist approach and a liberal one. In the eyes of a realist, national security can one hand only be reached by a destructive capability and the ability to intimidate anyone that defies or threatens national security.
Jordan And Israel Essay Research Paper THE
Jordan And Israel Essay, Research Paper THE PEACE TREATY BETWEEM THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN King Hussein, President Weizman, Prime Minister Rabin, Prime Minister Majali, Crown Prince Hassan, Foreign Minister Peres, Foreign Minister Kozyrev, the Secretary of State, the people of Jordan and Israel, with special thanks to those who are our cheering section up there we thank you all.
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY Essay Research Paper VOICE
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY Essay, Research Paper VOICE OF DEMOCRACY AMERICAS ROLE FOR THE NEXT CENTURY Americas role for the next century will be to stay economically stable. That will be no problem unless
Middle East Conflict Essay Research Paper In
Middle East Conflict Essay, Research Paper In wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States, President Bush is encouraging all parties to do everything possible to move forward with the peace process in the Middle East.
Versailles Treaty Essay Research Paper Treaty of
Versailles Treaty Essay, Research Paper Treaty of Versailles The treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed at the end of World War I between Germany and the Allies. It was negotiated during the Paris Peace Conference held in Versailles beginning January 18, 1919. The allies represented were the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy.
Poem My Journey Essay Research Paper My
Poem: My Journey Essay, Research Paper My Journey My journey through Nature’s community, A community of green Aging giants of nature. Standing in brown dead needles,
Abraham Lincoln 2 Essay Research Paper Abraham
Abraham Lincoln 2 Essay, Research Paper Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln: a true American that made the United States a more unified nation, and a more peaceful place to be. Lincoln was a man of great wisdom and determination, and these traits are what made him into one of the greatest peacemakers of the time.
Journalistic Writing On Peace Corp Essay Research
Paper journalistic writing on peace corpMarch 3, 1998 brought about great weather, a rare sunny day in the gloomy city of Seattle. It was perfect for students to skip class and enjoy the sun, but the day was of more importance. This was National Peace Corps day, one that students didn t want to miss. Three hundred and sixty four days a year, students hear about the Peace Corps but only one day do they stop and wonder what it really is.
My Gift Essay Research Paper My gift
My Gift Essay, Research Paper My gift to you is somewhat strange, it’s hidden and silent, alone and unheard, but it still lives beneath the darkened sun, it’s love and hope and joy and sight,
The Peace Corps Essay Research Paper The
The Peace Corps Essay, Research Paper The Peace Corps October 14, 1960 2:00 am at Michigan University ran into a serious realty check. Presidential Candidate John F. Kennedy addressed the students
Siddhartha Essay Research Paper SiddharthaIn the novel
Siddhartha Essay, Research Paper Siddhartha In the novel Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, the main character experiences many ups and downs while on his journey to inner peace. First, he decides to live his life as a Samana. Later he abandons that life in return for a life as a rich man. In the end he decides that his rich life is unsatisfying and he begins the simple life of a ferryman.
How To Create A Culture Of Peace
Essay, Research Paper Creating A Culture of Peace Peace. That has been the main goal of many different cultures throughout the history of time. Whether or not they have attained that main goal of peace is very debatable. It all depends on whose definition of peace you are looking at, and how someone would distinguish a culture of peace from a culture of disharmony.
United Nations Essay Research Paper Part I
United Nations Essay, Research Paper Part I. #3 51 countries established the United Nations also known as the UN on October 24, 1945 with the intentions of preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Over the years the UN has grown in numbers to include 185 countries, thus making the organization and its family of agencies the largest in an effort to promote world stability.
A Seperate Peace Essay Research Paper A
A Seperate Peace Essay, Research Paper A Separate Peace A Separate Peace written by John Knowles tells the story of two friends in their quest through school, war, friendships, and death. As the story moves on, so does Gene’s and Finny’s friendship. It goes through many changes as the characters themselves change.