FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 10, 2002

A Day of Remembrance

Promoting Peace – Remembering 9/11

Washington, DC, September 10, 2002–Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced that the Peace Corps, in conjunction with the National Peace Corps Association’s Global Teach Net program, will be in classrooms across the city participating in the District of Columbia Schools’ “Day of Remembrance.” On September 11, 2002, Peace Corps employees will join Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) in teaching students about other countries and cultures; thereby devoting the day to teaching peace, tolerance, and the elimination of racism and hatred.

The District of Columbia Board of Education declared September 11, 2002 as a “Day of Remembrance,” for the purpose, among others, of promoting peace globally. On this day, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and staff will join together to visit classrooms across the city in an effort to address Peace Corps’ Third Goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding and world peace.

“Through our efforts, we want to teach Americans and the world that we value and respect people’s characters and cultures,” said Peace Corps Director Vasquez.

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) will coordinate the “Day of Remembrance” classroom presentations. NPCA is a non-profit organization composed of RPCVs, Peace Corps staff and friends. Its mission is to continue to work for world peace, understanding, and well-being, with an emphasis on bringing the world back home. For more information see NPCA’s web page at www.rpcv.org.

Peace Corps’ “Day of Remembrance” events will begin with a Remembrance Ceremony in Shriver Hall in Peace Corps Headquarters at 8:30 am.

More than 165,000 Volunteers have served in 135 countries since the Peace Corps was established more than four decades ago. Today, more than 7,000 Volunteers are helping interested countries address their needs in education, health and HIV/AIDS, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. The Peace Corps also seeks to promote a better understanding of Americans worldwide and foster a greater understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. For more information contact Peace Corps at 800-424-8580.

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