FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 25, 1997

Peace Corps Commits to Goals of Presidents' Summit in Philadelphia

Washington, D.C., April 25, 1997—In support of the goals of this weekend\'s "Presidents\' Summit for America\'s Future" in Philadelphia—to provide young people with the fundamental resources to maximize their chances for successful lives—the Peace Corps today announced the following commitments:
Promoting Volunteerism Among Young Americans
To prepare for the 21st century, the Peace Corps remains committed to recruiting talented Americans from all 50 states, reflecting the rich diversity of our country. With expanded opportunities to serve in South Africa and Jordan, Peace Corps volunteers will continue to work at the grassroots level to promote development, peace and friendship in a changing global village.
Tripling World Wise Schools by the Year 2000
Through its World Wise Schools program, the Peace Corps will significantly increase its global learning partnerships to at least 10,000 teachers by the year 2000, tripling the current number of partnerships with teachers. The World Wise Schools program connects currently serving and returned Peace Corps volunteers with U.S. students and teachers. The program educates young Americans about the people and cultures of other countries, and exposes them to positive role models who have engaged in public service as Peace Corps volunteers.
Supporting Service in America
Every year, tens of thousands of people inquire about serving as Peace Corps volunteers overseas. The agency is firmly committed to increasing opportunities for U.S. citizens to serve as Peace Corps volunteers, and sharing their experiences with fellow Americans. Recognizing that every person may not be immediately suited to overseas service, the Peace Corps will also provide information on domestic service opportunities to an estimated 50,000 people per year.
Giving Personal Time to Service
Peace Corps employees, many of whom have served as Peace Corps volunteers overseas, continue to volunteer in their communities at home. For example, working in partnership with the Corporation for National Service, Peace Corps employees in Washington, D.C. have recently committed their personal time to serving as literacy tutors to students at Garrison Elementary School in Washington. Garrison is participating in President Clinton\'s "America Reads" program, which seeks to ensure that every child can read independently by the third grade.
Peace Corps Participates in Summit Activities
The Peace Corps will also participate fully in all the summit activities in Philadelphia. At 7 p.m., on Saturday, April 26, the Peace Corps and the Corporation for National Service will host a free jazz concert at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. The concert will feature the Temple University Jazz Ensemble and be broadcast live on WRTI-FM, Temple University\'s premiere jazz station. On Sunday, April 27, close to 300 returned Peace Corps Volunteers from the Washington, New York, and Philadelphia areas are expected to participate in the summit\'s day of community service in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. The volunteers will help clean up a large section of the city.
On Monday April 28, the day the summit officially opens, more than 10 returned Peace Corps Volunteers, serving in their current capacities as local community leaders, will be delegates at the summit. They will participate in panel discussions on ways to promote community service.
Later that day, Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan will participate in a major panel discussion on the "role of the media" in promoting citizen service. The panel discussion will be held from 4-5 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

# # #

---