(Kathmandu, Nepal | Friday, May 17, 2024) – Today, Peace Corps Deputy Director David E. White Jr. officiated the swearing-in ceremony of the inaugural cohort of Peace Corps Response Volunteers in Nepal, a special milestone in the longstanding partnership between the agency and the Nepalese government. The swearing-in ceremony marked the end of training for 10 new Response Volunteers and was attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson, Nepalese government ministers, community partners, and Peace Corps Nepal staff.

“As we welcome our new cohort of Response Volunteers, we also honor the rich legacy they join—a legacy of service and cross-cultural exchange that spans more than six decades,” said Peace Corps Deputy Director David E. White Jr. “Together, with our local partners, we will continue to forge meaningful connections and work hand-in-hand to address the most pressing challenges facing communities in Nepal.”

Peace Corps Response creates opportunities of service for experienced professionals with specialized skills to complete short-term, high impact assignments at 43 countries around the world.

The Peace Corps Response program in Nepal will pair the Response Volunteers with community partners to advance locally prioritized projects in three of the agency's six sectors: community economic development, education, and agriculture. These new Response Volunteers will collaborate closely with community members across the Gandaki, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces of Nepal.

“This is the start of a Peace Corps Response program, a program in which more experienced U.S. citizen volunteers respond to specific needs articulated by our partners in the Government of Nepal,” said U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson. “Like the traditional two-year volunteer program, Peace Corps Response Volunteers need to integrate into their communities, build relationships, and be role model representatives of the United States in Nepal.”

With this new group, a total of 50 Peace Corps Volunteers – in both the two year and Peace Corps Response programs – are currently serving in eight districts of Nepal. A total of 4,000 volunteers have served the people of Nepal since 1962 when the governments of the United States and Nepal signed a partnership to promote world peace and friendship.

During his week-long visit to Nepal, Deputy Director White also met with government and civil society representatives to discuss the agency’s commitment to global volunteerism to promote world peace and friendship, and to express gratitude for the longstanding partnership with the government of Nepal and their welcoming communities.

Peace Corps invites U.S. citizens from all backgrounds, who embody the spirit of service and cross-cultural understanding, to become volunteers. The next application deadline is July 1, 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online to take the first step towards a life-changing experience in contributing to global peace and friendship. Visit PeaceCorps.gov/Bold to learn more about Peace Corps Volunteer service and how volunteers connect with immersive experiences in over 60 countries.