Description
Peace Corps 2.0: A Symposium
March 31, 4-7PM ET
Register on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link and reminders via email. Registration deadline: March 31, 3PM ET
In March 1961 students from American University (AU) and University of Michigan cohosted a national conference on the AU campus. Some 500 attendees from schools across the country came to Washington, DC, to advise founding director Sargent Shriver and his team as they planned the new Peace Corps, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy’s vision. Those student leaders played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s goals, mission, and methods.
Sixty years later, as we mark a major milestone for the Peace Corps, we commemorate the students who took part in that historic conference with a special symposium. Panelists for this virtual event, all returned volunteers, will reflect on Peace Corps today and explore roadmaps for dealing with the challenges ahead. They will share personal stories and candid reflections on their cross-cultural experiences in host communities around the world. The first panel features viewpoints of current AU students.
Moderated by Elizabeth Worden (Associate Professor, School of Education, AU, Moldova 1997-99) and featuring panelists Yvette Betancourt (SIS, St. Lucia 2017-20), Genesis Morales (SIS, Panama 2019-20), and Matthew Ridgeway (SIS, Georgia 2017-19). The second group of panelists discuss issues related to diversity in Peace Corps. Moderated by Jermain Griffin, (Project Manager, Panama Teach, School of Education, AU, El Salvador 2005-07) and featuring panelists LaTarché Collins (Honduras 2007-09, Philippines 2016-18, Peru 2018-20), Charles Enciso (Tonga 1994-97, PC staff 1997- 2002), and Katrina Mathis (Guinea 1994-96, PC staff 1997-2002). In the final third, attendees enjoy stories from volunteers who attended the 1961 conference and learn about "Peace Corps Connect to the Future," a comprehensive report compiled by National Peace Corps Association from nine community meetings held in mid 2020. Attendees will consider the impact of Peace Corps and hear updates from the current acting Peace Corps director Carol Spahn (Romania 1994-1996).
This symposium is held in conjunction with the exhibition Peace Corps at 60: Inside the Volunteer Experience, presented by Museum of the Peace Corps Experience and American University Museum.
Featuring introductions by Patricia A. Wand (Co-chair, Museum of the Peace Corps Experience, Colombia 1963-1965), Nicola Dino (Co-chair, Museum of the Peace Corps Experience, Ecuador 1994-1997), Peter Starr (Acting Provost, American University), Glenn Blumhorst (President, National Peace Corps Association, Guatemala 1988 – 1991), and Alexandra Schuman (Curator, Peace Corps at 60: Inside the Volunteer Experience, Fellow, Alper Initiative for Washington Art, CAS '21).
Register on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link and reminders via email.
