Offices and Agencies

Peace Corps

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy in response to a call by America's youth to provide qualified American Volunteers who contribute to the social, economic, and human development of countries requesting assistance. In the course of its 43 years, over 170,000 Americans have served in 134 nations. Today, Peace Corps supports over 7,000 Volunteers in 77 countries, including Azerbaijan.
The Peace Corps' mission is to facilitate the productive exchange of knowledge and expertise with individuals and organizations. Volunteers do not provide commodities, equipment, or funds. The Peace Corps strives to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three fundamental goals:

• Providing trained men and women who contribute to the social and economic development of Azerbaijan;
• Promoting a better understanding of the American people on the part of Azerbaijanis; and
• Promoting a better understanding of the Azerbaijani people on the part of Americans.

Program and Future:

Peace Corps Volunteers agree to serve for a period of two years following a three month training program. During the training program and for the first six months of their two year service period, Volunteers live with Azerbaijani families in the communities where they are serving.
The nature of their service is dependent upon the expressed needs of the country, and the ability of the agency to meet those needs. There are currently 25 Peace Corps Volunteers in Azerbaijan, teaching English as English teachers in secondary schools and teacher training institutions throughout the country. Another 31 Volunteer Trainees are expected to arrive at the end of July, 2004. These too, will be English teachers. A Third group of Volunteers is scheduled to arrive in March of 2005. This third cohort will include an initial group of small business and micro-enterprise development specialists.

For more information on Pease Corps' activities go to the:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/