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50th Anniversary Campaign


This site is a comprehensive source for 50th Anniversary news and information and is continually being updated. You can also stay up-to-date on Peace Corps 50th anniversary plans by visiting the 50th Anniversary section of our blog.

50th Anniversary News

  • NPCA Update on the 50th Anniversary and the Establishment of a Commemorative (September 22, 2009)
    NPCA Board Chair Jan Guifarro has written a letter to the Peace Corps community to summarize the status of the work the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is conducting related to the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in 2011, including more detail about the establishment of a commemorative near the National Mall.
  • Peace Corps' press release on the launch of their 50th anniversary website.


    • Key Dates and Events (as of February 2, 2010 - subject to change)

  • October 13-14, 2010: The University of Michigan will honor the first vision statement that became the Peace Corps and those students who helped carry it forward. A symposium on international volunteering is planned as well as a commemoration of JFK's speech to the students.


  • September 22-25, 2011: Festivities in Washington, DC to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Peace Corps:
    • Friday, September 23: Peace Corps staff reunion
    • Saturday, September 24: Meetings, Country of Service updates, receptions, lunches, dinners, and get togethers organized by Friends Of groups at restaurants, embassies, and local venues
    • Sunday, September 25: Program at Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater, visit to JFK gravesite, and march with Country of Service flags across the Memorial Bridge to the National Mall


    Resources

    Universities

  • Are you at a university? Download a proposal for 50th anniversary university programs.



    • Archives

  • RPCV Archival Project (opens in .pdf format) Read more about The Peace Corps Collection at the Kennedy Library and how you can donate materials to the Collection here.
  • Add your materials to the Peace Corps Digital Library. Visit Peace Corps 50th page, then click “Contribute to the Peace Corps Digital Library” for details.



    • Groups

    Here are some of the great ideas already in the planning stages for activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary in 2011 from groups around the country:

  • An exhibit at a local library or coffee shop
  • A seminar with a university
  • An international film festival
  • A website to share photos and experiences
  • An in-country reunion



    • What is your group planning? If you are a group leader, please designate a 50th liaison and email the 50th Anniversary Coordinator (see below). The Coordinator will invite your liaison join the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Liaisons Group. This group will be sharing ideas and how-to advice. Please submit this form to have your project officially recognized as a 50th anniversary project. You can also post your event to our event calendar on Connected Peace Corps and use "50th" in the event type field.

    Questions? Email our 50th Coordinator at 50thCoordinator AT peacecorpsconnect DOT org.

  • Visit our Planning how-to guides for RPCV member groups for suggestions on how to organize your 50th event.



    • Plan Your Trip to DC

  • Member groups and individual RPCVs are encouraged to book their hotel stay through Washington DC Accommodations, hotel experts for the Nation's Capital for the past 25 years. Washington DC Accommodations will donate a portion of all hotel bookings back to NPCA for 50th anniversary activities. Contact Nancy Riker, nriker@wdcahotels.com or call 800-554-2220, ext 102 for hotel availability and rates. Individuals can also book their hotel at www.wdcahotels.com. All NPCA bookings will be tracked for rebates.



    • Links

  • Peace Corps 50th anniversary website


    • NPCA and the 50th: Background

    At the National Peace Corps Association, we believe that Peace Corps' 50th anniversary is a milestone event warranting national attention on par with recent major commemorations, such as the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the dedication of the World War II Memorial. In a Summer 2007 WorldView magazine article on country celebrations, NPCA President Kevin Quigley writes,

      Peace Corps does not simply belong to RPCVs, but rather it touches the lives of the American and host-country staff, colleagues, family and friends. It is important for us now to find adequate and sufficient ways to honor this anniversary, so that anyone who is interested can play a role in celebrating Peace Corps' many accomplishments, and rebuilding these life-long connections among so many of us around the world.

    In preparation for the National Peace Corps Association's Annual General Meeting, Board Meeting and Advisory Council meeting which took place June 28-30, 2007 NPCA President Kevin Quigley crafted a discussion paper on planning for the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps.

    Read the full document by clicking: Peace Corps at 50: Looking Back/Looking Forward

    We have been steadily nudging relevant institutions to think about the 50th, and urging our community to reflect on how to mark this important occasion. NPCA discussions with Peace Corps resulted in the designation of a committee within Peace Corps to initiate planning for the 50th. They have also begun to secure high profile event venues.


    Stay tuned! Come back to this page for 50th anniversary updates. Bookmark it or type www.peacecorpsconnect.org/content/50th-anniversary-campaign.

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