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Working in War-Ravaged Societies

Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011 / Time: 10:00am - 11:30am 

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The United States Institute of Peace and the Peace Corps partnered to commemorate the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary with this panel discussion on post-conflict environments and the requirements for preparing and protecting volunteers who serve in them.

Fifty years after its establishment as an American force for world peace and friendship, the Peace Corps has evolved, branching out to work in post-conflict countries such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya and Guinea. These complex environments create unique challenges for Peace Corps Volunteers and the organization that must ensure their safety and effectiveness. What are the challenges for operating in these environments? How might individuals be best prepared for service in war-ravaged societies?

The United States Institute of Peace has been operating in and training others to work in post-conflict conditions for decades. USIP and the Peace Corps partnered to commemorate the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary with this panel discussion on post-conflict environments and the requirements for preparing and protecting volunteers who serve in them.

Speakers

  • Aaron Williams, Welcoming remarks
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Dominican Republic
    Director, Peace Corps
  • Dr. Richard Solomon, Welcoming remarks
    President, United States Institute of Peace
  • Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), Remarks
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Colombia
    United States House of Representatives
  • Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Remarks
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Ethiopia
    United States House of Representatives
  • Marc Hanson, Panelist
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Honduras
    Refugees International
  • Sean Kane, Panelist
    United States Institute of Peace
  • Alison Milofsky, Panelist
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Slovak Republic
    United States Institute of Peace
  • Colin Thomas-Jensen, Panelist
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Ethiopia and Mozambique
    United States Department of State
  • Krista Rigalo, Moderator
    Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Philippines
    Peace Corps

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