FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 13, 2009

Peace Corps Launches YouTube Channel

Visuals provide inside view of Peace Corps Volunteer projects, history

Washington, D.C., July 13, 2009 Peace Corps acting Director Jody K. Olsen announced the launch of the new Peace Corps channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/peacecorps.
The channel provides a stunning visual look into the work of Peace Corps Volunteers projects around the world. The channel also provides a visual glimpse into the history of the agency and its founders, including President John F. Kennedy and Sargent Shriver.

The YouTube channel is an excellent resource for anyone considering Peace Corps service to better understand what Peace Corps service is really like on the ground, said acting Director Olsen.

The Peace Corps/YouTube channel launched with 45 videos about the Peace Corps and the agencys current projects around the world. More will be added on an ongoing basis. Currently featured on the site is a video entitled, Peace Corps: Our legacy at Home and Abroad. The clip incorporates pictures, films, and interviews depicting the work of Volunteers serving since its founding in 1961 up to today in different areas of the world.

In its first week the Peace Corps channel welcomed nearly 1,000 views, and viewership continues to grow rapidly every day.

In addition to YouTube, the agency is leveraging social media technology though Twitter (twitter.com/peacecorps), and will soon have a presence on both Facebook and Flickr. These sites supplement the newly redesigned Peace Corps website (www.peacecorps.gov), that draws over eight million visitors a year. Peace Corps information on these sites is intended to inform and recruit the next generation of Volunteers.

As the Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world. Historically, over 195,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries in which they have served. Currently, 7,876 Peace Corps Volunteers are serving in 76 countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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