On 30 November 2011, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi has bestowed, on behalf of Romania’s President Traian Basescu, the Cultural Merit Order in the rank of commander to Peace Corps Romania, in token of recognition and appreciation of the work American volunteers have done for 20 years in Romania. The ceremony was attended by the US Ambassador to Romania, Mark Gitenstein, Peace Corps Romania Country Director Sheila Crowley, staff and representatives of the volunteers currently serving in Romania.
The Cultural Merit Order rewards special talent and services to culture, the arts, science, and promotion of charitable spirit by individuals or public institutions...Read more...
From 10 October to 12 December 2011, the Gender and Development Committee of Peace Corps Romania (GAD), in partnership with Fundatia Sensiblu and Fundatia IREX/Programul Biblionet, will coordinate a national campaign for the 16 Days Against Gender Violence.
GAD is a group of US Peace Corps Volunteers and Romanians working to promote gender equality in the social and economic development processes of Romania. This year, GAD in partnership with Fundatia Sensiblu and Fundatia IREX/Biblionet Program is coordinating a 16 Days campaign in Romania. Read more...
Thirty six new Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) were sworn into service by the United States Ambassador to Romania, Mark Gitenstein on July 7th.
With this ceremony, the volunteers started their 24 month assignments throughout the country. For the past 10 weeks, the Volunteers have been based in Targoviste undergoing intensive training in Romanian language, culture and history. During their training the Volunteers lived with Romanian host families...read more...
U.S. Ambassador Mark Gitenstein met with Foreign Affairs Minister Theodor Baconschi, notifying him about the Peace Corps’ decision to phase-out its program in Romania. The last group of volunteers will complete their service in July 2013. After that, Peace Corps Romania will close.
The announcement comes as the Peace Corps commemorates its 50th anniversary and Peace Corps Romania’s 20th anniversary. Over the last two decades, Peace Corps Romania has shared America’s most precious resource – its people. During 20 years of service in Romania, the Peace Corps has created more than 1,000 successful partnerships between American volunteers and Romanian service providers. “As Romania continues to work towards a better future, we acknowledge its successes, admire its perseverance, and are honored to have had the privilege of contributing to its development” said Aaron Williams, Peace Corps’ Director....read more...
2011 marks 50 years of Peace Corps worldwide and 20 years of Peace Corps in Romania. From May 30th-June 4th Peace Corps Volunteers will celebrate their anniversary by doing what they know best: helping those in need. In just 6 days, Volunteers will build an entire home in Beius, a rural town in Transylvania, located in the very heart of Romania. The event will showcase the invaluable development work that Peace Corps Volunteers have been doing throughout the world and in Romania for the past decades.
Parents, neighbors, local Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the US and former volunteers have all joined in to help Peace Corps celebrate its anniversary and the volunteers have raised enough money to ‘Blitz-Build’ a home for a family currently living in poverty housing...read more...
On March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by signing Executive Order 10924.
On January 24, 1991, Peace Corps and the Romanian government signed an agreement to bring Volunteers to Romania to address needs in the development and education sectors.
2011 marks two important anniversaries -- 50 years of Peace Corps service worldwide and 20 years of Peace Corps service in Romania.
To kick of our celebration, we welcome you to the relaunch of peacecorps.ro!
Visit the volunteer-run anniversary blog at celebratepcro.wordpress.com
Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Baconschi met, on 25 January 2011, with representatives of Peace Corps Romania. Headed by Country Director Sheila Crowley, the delegation included Peace Corps Program and Training Officer Alex Woods and several representatives of volunteers working in Romania – Ben Frentsos, Alicia Krcyczkowski, Chris Fontanesi.read more...
On January 24th 2011, Peace Corps Romania celebrated its 20th anniversary. The date commemorates the day that the government of Romania and Peace Corps signed the agreement to establish Peace Corps in Romania 20 years ago. Participants to the event included US Ambassador to Romania, Mark Gitenstein, State Secretary for Global Affairs, Doru Costea, Ministry of Education Director, Liliana Preoteasa, as well as representatives of partner organizations who have supported and contributed to the promotion of Peace Corps’ programs in Romania. .read more...
On January 24th 2011, Peace Corps Romania celebrated its 20th anniversary. The date commemorates the day that the government of Romania and Peace Corps signed the agreement to establish Peace Corps in Romania 20 years ago. Participants to the event included US Ambassador to Romania, Mark Gitenstein, State Secretary for Global Affairs, Doru Costea, Ministry of Education Director, Liliana Preoteasa, as well as representatives of partner organizations who have supported and contributed to the promotion of Peace Corps’ programs in Romania. .read more...
The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.
Since that time, 200,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.
Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and contributing to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.
For more information visit the Peace Corps Website.
Since 1991, Peace Corps Romania has shared America’s most precious resource – its people. Collaborating with local community members, Volunteers work in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology. PC Romania has created more than 1,000 successful partnerships between American volunteers and partnering Romanian service providers. Volunteers receive extensive language training and provide two years of technical assistance to Romanian organizations, schools and local goverments while sharing in the daily life of their communities.
Peace Corps purpose and mission remain the same today as at their founding by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The organization, which has placed more than 200,000 volunteers in 80 countries, promotes cross-cultural understanding and friendship through the unique person-to-person development philosophy of the agency.