About the Peace Corps
The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.
Since that time, more than 170,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 136 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation. Over 800 of those Volunteers have been graduates of the University of Florida, more than any other school in the Southeast.
Regions Served
The Peace Corps works in countries in:
- The Caribbean
- Central America & Mexico
- South America
- Eastern Europe & Central Asia
- Asia
- North African & The Middle East
- Africa
- The Pacific Islands
To learn more about the regions that Peace Corps serves visit the National Peace Corps website and visit the "Explore the World" map.
Mission
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. Since that time, three simple goals have comprised the Peace Corps mission:
- Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of all Americans.
Programs
Specific duties and responsibilites of Peace Corps volunteers can vary widely within the areas of service that Peace Corps provides. To learn detailed information about the programs that Peace Corps offers visit the following links: