62 new Peace Corps Volunteers will begin serving two year assignments in Azerbaijan after participating in a Swearing-In Ceremony at the Samad Vurgun Palace of Culture in Sumgayit City. The new volunteers will work in 28 rayons, serving as Community development workers and engaging in a variety of projects, including teaching English and working with youth.
This group is the eighth group of Peace Corp Volunteers to serve in Azerbaijan. Since the Peace Corps Azerbaijan Program was established in 2003, 388 Peace Corps Volunteers have served the people of Azerbaijan applying their knowledge, skills and experience to the development of Azerbaijani communities and organizations.
U.S. Embassy Chargè d’Affaires Adam Sterling, who administered the oath, reminded the volunteers that they “represent a significant part of the history of the Peace Corps in Azerbaijan” and urged them to share American values, beliefs and experiences. Reminding of them of the richness of Azerbaijani culture, Sterling predicted that the Peace Corps experience will “enrich the lives of many Azerbaijanis, as well as your own.” In addition to Sterling and Peace Corps Azerbaijan Director Meredith Dalton, the ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
The latest group of volunteers arrived in September. Before swearing in, the volunteers completed a 10-week long Pre-Service Training program which included Azerbaijani language and cross-cultural training, as well training relevant to the program in which the volunteer will work.
In her remarks, Peace Corps Azerbaijan Director Meredith Dalton thanked all the partners who helped prepare the Volunteers during their training, including the Sumgayit and Absheron Executive Power Administrations, representatives in the eight local communities, the Sumgayit City Municipality, the Heads of Education Departments of both Sumgayit city and the Absheron rayon, and the many organizations, host families and school directors who supported and participated in preparing these new Peace Corps Volunteers for their service in Azerbaijan.
Peace Corps is a U.S. Government organization established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Peace Corps builds peace and friendship by helping people of developing countries build their skills and knowledge by sending qualified Americans, and to promote a better understanding between different countries through cultural exchange. Since then, nearly 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 countries around the world.