News
RPCV on The Human Faces of the USAID Shutdown
I WORK IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, A FIELD that has suddenly become the focus of intense political controversy—even though most Americans still don’t know the basics of what it is, how it is conducted, or why it matters. When we talk about global development or foreign aid, here—at the risk of oversimplifying—is what we mean: the strengthening of capacities in economic development, health, education, energy, food security and safety, and governance, by means of humanitarian and technical assistance, with respect for human rights, and in ways that are congruent with the cultures and traditions of host cultures. Putting it more simply,...
Former RPCV Details Cuts to National Park Service
When unemployed marine biologist Lanny Flaherty poked his head into the ranger's station at the Wallowa Whitman National Forest in the Pacific Northwest and asked to be a volunteer, he said it put him on a 13-year career path with the U.S. Forest Service that included stints as a botanist, a wildfire resource adviser and a range ecologist. When he wasn't researching the effects of vegetation on fire behavior or identifying fungi on national forest land, the 40-year-old Flaherty said he was a "red-card" carrying certified firefighter, helping battle some of the biggest wildland fires in the nation. In 2016,...
Opinion | Madison Peace Corps alums work to counter Trump policies
Can you imagine anything more antithetical to the monumental jingoism of Donald Trump than the mission and spirit of the nation’s Peace Corps? Neither can I. Many of us these days are hunkering down, avoiding most Trump and Elon Musk news and quietly grieving our nation’s direction. So, when I learned that a local group of Peace Corps alums is working to actively push back, I took notice. Some background: The city of Madison, specifically the University of Wisconsin, is a long-established hotbed for Peace Corps recruitment. The campus produced more volunteers than any other American university in 2023, and...
The Mongolian Lunar New Year Celebration
My nine years in Mongolia were a journey of learning and adaptation. My first Tsagaan Sar was memorable because it involved extreme weather, celebrations, vodka, dozens of house parties, and thousands of dumplings. And I don’t remember the holiday ever ending. The warmth and community spirit of Tsagaan Sar made me feel like I was part of something much larger than myself. My nine years in Mongolia were a journey of learning and adaptation. On my first Tsagaan Sar, in the middle of winter and -40 degrees, I had already become adept at Mongolia village life. I chopped wood, hand-washed...
ALERT: NPCA National Call-In Campaign to Congress during Peace Corps Week
Urge lawmakers to show their support during Peace Corps Week! Four Steps for Taking Action: Find Your Representatives: Visit NPCA’s State Resources webpage. Select your state and go to the “Congressional Delegation” link to access contact details for your Senators and Representative. You will also find the number of Peace Corps Volunteers who served from your state! If you don’t know who your House Rep is, click here and use the “Find Your Representative" tool. Make The Call: Identify yourself as a constituent by stating your name and city/town where you live. Use the talking points below to express your...
NPCA Leads Effort to Protect Peace Corps Ideals
Join us for a town hall on Thursday, February 6th, at 8:00 PM to discuss the latest updates and happenings. Including: Open Mic, Q&A, and Exclusive Updates from Peace Corps. Register here. At this time, no actions by the new administration have been focused solely on the Peace Corps, and volunteers remain on the job. However, a variety of Executive Orders are having several serious impacts on agency and volunteer operations. At the same time, thousands of individual Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who have proudly served in various government agencies, or who work for/contract with non-governmental organizations that provide critical...
Celebrating Black History Month: A Reflection on My Peace Corps Experience
As a child, I looked for ways to fit in and wanted to be accepted. However, because I am African American, instead of fitting in, often, I was a trailblazer because desegregation was central to my upbringing. By Carla Brown, RPCV Comoro Islands 1992-1994 We often hear stories of significant civil rights figures, such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Harriet Tubman, or Malcolm X. None sought fame; in their daily lives, they sought justice. They were driven by their desire to care for their families and hope to live the "American Dream." Circumstances thrust them into the limelight, and they did...
How Recent Executive Orders Impact Our Community & the Peace Corps
With developments related to actions of the new administration occurring on a daily – or sometimes hourly – basis, NPCA will work to update you on the latest news and its impact on serving Peace Corps Volunteers, applicants, staff, & alumni. Read our infographic on the current situation. At this time, no actions by the administration have been focused solely on the Peace Corps, but they are affecting some agency programs. We have scheduled a virtual town hall for February 6 to provide ample opportunity for friends of Peace Corps to come together and discuss our community’s critical...
Extend Your Gratitude to Carol Spahn
Thank Carol for her incredible work by signing a note by January 31. Carol not only charted a path forward for the Peace Corps in a post-COVID world but also fostered meaningful collaboration with NPCA, supporting our shared mission and efforts. Her thoughtful and eloquent guidance has left a lasting impact on the agency’s future and our community. Read more about Carol Spahn's legacy and biography here. Also, watch our conversation with Carol during last year's virtual Peace Corps Connect in September. Memories of Carol Carol Spahn, right. Photo courtesy Peace Corps On August 13, 2022, members of the...
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Spirit of the Peace Corps
Both Dr. King and the Peace Corps emphasize the transformative power of relationships. by Mike Roman (RPCV Kiribati 2000–02) Martin Luther King Jr., a champion of civil rights and global justice, and the Peace Corps, a program promoting international development and understanding, share a legacy rooted in service, empathy, and pursuing a more equitable world. Although King was not directly involved with the Peace Corps, the parallels between his vision and the agency’s mission are unmistakable. Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence and his dedication to social justice resonate with the Peace Corps’ foundational principles. Established in 1961 by President John...