FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, October 12, 2007

United Nations Secretary-General Visits Peace Corps

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea speaks at the Loret Miller Ruppe Speaker Series

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 12, 2007 Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter welcomed the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to speak to Peace Corps staff as part of the Loret Miller Ruppe Speaker Series on Friday, October 12. The Loret Miller Ruppe series serves as a forum for distinguished individuals to speak about issues related to the Peace Corps\' mission, such as volunteerism, international peace and development, and public service.

"The presence of the Secretary-General today honors our Peace Corps Volunteers worldwide," said Tschetter. "Our missions and goals are similarworld peace and the betterment of people\'s lives around the world. Peace Corps Volunteers work with many UN Organizations on the ground. We are proud of this collaboration and hope it will continue."

During his speech, the Secretary-General talked about his first visit to the U.S. as a high school student when he was invited to meet the then President, John F. Kennedy, saying the visit "offered me a personal occasion to learn the ideas and principles the United States stands for and that, in turn inspired, a life of public service. President Kennedy gave life to his vision of global partnership."

"Let me pay tribute to thousands of Peace Corps Volunteers who work around the world in 139 countries," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "Peace Corps has provided invaluable, critical support for the United Nations\' Volunteers. Together, we can work toward results. Together, we can pursue our joint mission for a peaceful and prosperous, just world."

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea is the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations. At the time of his election in 2007, Mr. Ban was serving as his countrys minister of foreign affairs and trade. In that capacity, he worked diligently on promoting peace on the Korean peninsula. His long tenure with the ministry also included posting in Washington, D.C., and Vienna, Austria. He also served as chief national security advisor to the President of the Republic of Korea. He has long-standing ties with the U.N. and, in 2001 he facilitated the prompt adoption of the first General Assembly resolution condemning the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon holds a bachelor\'s degree in international relations from Seoul National University and a masters degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of government at Harvard University.

The United Nations is an international organization that works to address global needs through promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development around the world. As much as 70 per cent of the work of the U.N. system is devoted to accomplishing this mandate.

The Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote friendship and peace, is celebrating its 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more thship and peace, is celebrating its 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Since 1961, more than 187,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. 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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