FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, February 10, 2011

Peace Corps Releases New Print PSAs

Six New Ads are Available Online

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2011 The Peace Corps has released a new series of print public service announcements (PSA) designed to inspire the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers and increase awareness of volunteer opportunities overseas. The 2011 suite of ads coincides with the agencys 50th anniversary of promoting peace and friendship around the worlda legacy of service that has become a significant part of Americas history.

The PSAs are available for download on the Peace Corps website, and are available in English and Spanish and color and black and white. In January 2011, Peace Corps released a new television PSA that portrays, with humor and poignancy, the life of a recently returned Peace Corps volunteer who spent two years living and working with a community overseas.

For 50 years, Peace Corps has inspired generations of Americans to help people in other nations build better lives for themselves, said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. Were actively recruiting volunteers to answer the call to public service. I hope the PSAs encourage people to learn more about Peace Corps and the life-defining experiences it has to offer.

The print PSAs were created by the Peace Corps Office of Communications. The ads will run through the generosity of print publications across the country.

Peace Corps recruits year-round and seeks Americans of all ages and backgrounds for volunteer service. Volunteers work at the local level in a variety of areas, including agriculture, business and information and communication technology, education, environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and youth and community development. Projects may range from developing green buildings in a town in Guatemala, to malaria prevention in Senegal to teaching English in a city in Ukraine.

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 77 host 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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