FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 28, 2023

PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR CAROL SPAHN VISITS COLORADO AND ADDRESSES CITIES SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

Director Spahn Extends ‘Bold Invitation’ to Government, Business, Academic and Civil Society Leaders to Engage a New Generation of Volunteers in Service

(Denver, Colo. | Friday, April 28, 2023) – As part of an official visit to Colorado this week, Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn is participating in the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas to engage with government, business, academic and civil society leaders to advance regional cooperation and support. Today, Director Spahn keynoted a Peace Corps plenary session entitled 'Cities of Service,' where she underscored how city leaders can mobilize community volunteering to meet local development priorities. Tracy Colunga, Director of Civic Engagement, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University; Claudia Neumann, Executive Social Director, Techo Paraguay; and Marcela Aquino, Director, Glasswing Guatemala joined the panel to discuss opportunities for collaboration, and how service initiatives can be scaled across urban and rural communities.

“Volunteering – at the community level and across difference – has the power not only to solve difficult challenges, but also to build social cohesion and belonging,” said Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn. “At a time when the status quo has been fundamentally disrupted, the transformative impact of volunteerism can support thriving cities and communities in the Americas and around the world.”

During the week, Director Spahn met with regional and local leaders to discuss ways to attract more than 5,000 motivated changemakers to join the Peace Corps and promote world peace and friendship. Spahn hosted roundtables with leaders from Colorado and engaged with university leadership and students at Colorado State University, Colorado University at Bolder, Denver University, and the Metropolitan State University of Denver. The Peace Corps has formal partnerships with 12 colleges and universities in Colorado, including four Peace Corps Prep Program schools and eight Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program schools. Tomorrow, Spahn will give a keynote speech at the Rotary District Conference in Denver.

The Peace Corps launched a Bold Invitation initiative in March 2023 to welcome U.S. citizens to join the agency and support innovative collaboration, rooted in people-centered solutions and localized impact. Overseas volunteering efforts include: engaging youth through education and skills training, supporting community health and prevention efforts, investing in environmental conservation and adaptation, and advancing opportunities for the next generation of community leaders.

Since 1961, over 7,300 residents of Colorado have answered the call to serve, including 45 Peace Corps Volunteers who are currently working alongside community members in 27 different posts. Currently over 1,300 Peace Corps Volunteers work alongside community members in 53 countries. At the invitation of host country governments, Volunteers collaborate on projects aligned with national and community priorities. For more information about how to join the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov/bold.

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