NEW YORK – Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with the Republic of Palau, to collaborate on advancing the country’s whole of government approach to education priorities. Signed during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, this MOU marks a new chapter in the Peace Corps’ relationship with the people of Palau, which began nearly 60 years ago and will further deepen when volunteers return in 2025.

“At its core, diplomacy between nations starts with people and building personal connections that break down language, background, and cultural barriers. That is what Peace Corps Volunteers do – working across differences, they strive to build bridges of understanding and friendship, one relationship at a time,” said Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn. “We are honored to have the opportunity to create new connections and strengthen the enduring friendships between the people of Palau and the United States.”

This MOU reflects the Peace Corps’ support for Palau’s education priorities as a pathway for opportunity and builds on the agency’s longstanding partnership with Pacific Island countries. From 1966 to 2018, more than 4,400 Peace Corps Volunteers have worked alongside community members in Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia as part of the agency’s one-program, two-country model. Through this partnership, the incoming class of volunteers will work closely with local teachers, students, and community stakeholders to advance local solutions for long-lasting change.

The 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 October 1, 2024. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online to contribute to global peace and friendship. Visit peacecorps.gov to learn more about Peace Corps Volunteer service and how volunteers connect with immersive experiences in over 60 countries.