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Peace Corps Week 2025
February 23 to March 1, 2025
Peace Corps Week commemorates March 1, 1961, the day that President John F. Kennedy established the agency. The annual celebration honors how the Peace Corps fosters connections and contributes to meaningful change—in the United States and around the world.
Since 1961, at the invitation of foreign governments, more than 240,000 Americans have served the United States and countries around the globe as Peace Corps Volunteers. There are currently more than 3,000 Volunteers working alongside community members in 60+ countries tackling local development priorities across the Peace Corps’ six work sectors: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Youth in Development.
Tales of transformation
The theme for this year, "Tales of transformation," celebrates the changes that individuals and communities can experience when the power of human connection is shared worldwide. It highlights intercultural exchanges, big and small, that lead to positive growth and sustainable change for all involved.
Get involved
Although Peace Corps Week has been modified, renamed, expanded, and changed over the years since its inception, there is one consistent common theme—the emphasis on the Peace Corps’ third goal. This goal of “advancing peace and friendship by promoting the understanding of different people and cultures on the part of Americans,” can be accomplished in many ways.
Whether you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer or another member of the Peace Corps network, when you speak to a class of students or a group of friends about your Peace Corps experience, organize a dinner to share global recipes inspired by your host country, or write an article about your service, you are working to further world peace by breaking down stereotypes, inspiring service, and broadening perspectives. As President John F. Kennedy once said, “The logic of Peace Corps is that someday we are going to bring it home to America.” The third goal reminds us to share the transformative gift of service with others. Here are some ways for everyone in the Peace Corps network to promote the third goal during Peace Corps Week 2025:
- Share your “tale of transformation” or other aspects of your Peace Corps story with others—whether it be to a classroom full of students, a religious organization, community group, or your best friends.
- Organize a “Global Feast” and invite others to enjoy international cuisine at a restaurant or host a meal featuring dishes from your country of service.
- Participate in the “Each One Reach One” campaign by encouraging someone you know to apply to be a Peace Corps Volunteer.
- Reconnect with your Peace Corps Volunteer, host family, staff, or counterparts to keep your Peace Corps relationships alive and thriving.
- Connect with a Peace Corps affiliate group and plan a day of service in your community
No matter how you choose to celebrate Peace Corps Week 2025, know that your experience, your story, and your connection to Peace Corps matters—together, Peace Corps network members make up an evolving and vibrant tapestry of Peace Corps’ history. Happy Peace Corps Week!
