NPCA Community Members Join the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Members from NPCA's New York City affiliate group engaged on key topics at the United Nations, delving into the heart of sustainable development talks. By Greg Emerson Bocquet In July, representatives from National Peace Corps Association's New York City affiliate group attended sessions at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), a “pre-event” ahead of the SDG Summit in September. The SDG Summit will serve to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the halfway point to the target set for implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event will be the centerpiece of the High-Level Week of the UN...
Opinion | Recruiting Barbie for Peace Corps
Op-Ed: A Case for Why a Peace Corps Barbie Could Spark Volunteer Interest Among Youth By Megan Dial Image generated by NPCA Staff using Midjourney I’m a Barbie girl. Growing up, every birthday and Christmas I would ask for one thing: more Barbies. By the time I started to enter middle school, my playroom would have served as a miniature functioning society. There was a high school and teachers, a doctor’s office, nurses, a farm, restaurants, sports teams, and even a president to rule. Though it has long been since I last played with my dolls, the memories I made have...
Peace Corps Achievements – July and August 2023
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter V. Deekle (Iran 1968–70) and Gwyn Skiles Samantha Maltais (pictured, Tonga 2018–20) is a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah and a JD candidate at Harvard Law School, advocating for indigenous rights in conjunction with climate change. Taylor Stuckert (Bolivia 2008) is the new executive director of American Connection Corps, a service corps that advances economic prosperity by mobilizing local leaders in rural and emerging communities to tackle critical, bi-partisan challenges. Daniel Mendez (Belize 2009–15) was appointed by the government of Belize as the National Emergency Coordinator for...
Peace Corps Achievements – May and June 2023
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. Compiled by Peter V. Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Alexandria Dreher (pictured, Azerbaijan 2009–12), American Rescue Plan Program Manager in Oregon state’s Lane County, was unanimously appointed Cottage Grove Ward 4 City Councilor-at-Large by the Mayor and City Council this year. Joshuah Marshall (Morocco 2007–09) joined the Biden Administration in March as Senior Advisor to the Director of Indian Health Service where he will be responsible for a variety of special analyses and high-level health policy matters. Ritu Bhatnagar (Nepal 1995–97) was awarded Distinguished Fellow status...
Peace Corps Achievements – March and April 2023
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter V. Deekle and Priyasha Chakravarti Jon Santiago (pictured, Dominican Republic 2006–08) became Massachusetts’ first-ever Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services on March 1, overseeing facilities and benefits for more than 270,000 veterans in the state. Johnnie Carson (Tanzania 1965–68) was appointed as the Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation last December. Peggy Walton (Ukraine 1994–96; 2013–16) a retired teacher, enrolled to participate in the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot Program in Ukraine, an active war zone. We also share more stories...
Climate Change Solutions
Patrick Gonzalez takes on responsibilities tackling climate and biodiversity with the White House. Photography by Al Golub By Steven Boyd Saum “Contributing science for solutions to global problems is one of the most important contributions that we can make as scientists,” Patrick Gonzalez (Senegal 1988–90) declared earlier this year at the Ecological Society of America’s annual conference. Now he has the opportunity to walk the talk in a new way: He has been appointed assistant director for climate and biodiversity by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). A forest ecologist and climate change scientist, he has brought...
Quote: Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Dreams, Opportunity, and Peace Corps
Linda Thomas-Greenfield wants to see more girls from places like she grew up as Volunteers — and ambassadors. As a young girl growing up in Baker, one of my biggest dreams was joining the Peace Corps. —Linda Thomas-Greenfield Nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Why She’s A Fan Writing last fall for The Advocate in her home state of Louisiana, Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted: “As the oldest of eight children, I always had a strong sense of responsibility and curiosity. I became enamored with the idea of the Peace Corps...