WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2003—On January 24, 2003, returned Peace Corps volunteer John F. Keane (Colombia, 1966-1969) took the oath of office to become the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay, replacing David Greenlee, also a former Peace Corps volunteer (Bolivia, 1965-1967).

As Ambassador, Keane hopes to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and good governance in Paraguay. He will work to develop a market oriented economy to attract investment in Paraguay, and encourage Paraguayan government officials to continue to address international criminal enterprises. He also recognizes the role of U.S. government agencies, such as Peace Corps and US Agency for International Development (USAID), in Paraguayan environmental efforts, including forest conservation, water management and sustainable development.

Keane began his foreign service career with the Peace Corps serving as a community development volunteer. He will spend his first weekend in Paraguay with the newest group of Peace Corps trainees and with volunteers at their sites.

Peace Corps has been working in Paraguay since 1967. To date 2,800 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Paraquay, which is one of the longest continuously operating Peace Corps posts in the world. Currently, more than two hundred volunteers and trainees are working in agriculture, education, environment, health, cooperative/small enterprise development, municipal services development, and urban youth development.

Since 1961, more than 168,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.

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