Nicholas Kristof thinks he has a great idea. In yesterday's NYT column (featured in this morning's pundit round-up) he writes:
[W]e need a new initiative: Teach for the World.
Teach for the World would be a one-year program placing young Americans in schools in developing countries. The Americans might teach English or computer skills, or coach basketball or debate teams.
Jeez, great idea Kristof. But it seems like I've heard of that before. Oh yeah, we've had a program that does exactly that since 1961. It's called the Peace Corps . Heard of it?
Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed—doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.
But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps—who works in a foreign land—will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.
-President John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy signed the order creating the Peace Corps in 1961, and by 1966 there were 15,000 volunteers in the field. They worked in 44 countries in fields such as agriculture, education, and health. Kennedy's original vision for the Peace Corps was to have 100,000 volunteers in the field around the world. The goals were simple:
1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Today, instead of Kennedy's vision of 100,000 volunteers in the field, or even 1966's 15,000 volunteers, there are only 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers in world. Total volunteers dropped to that level after Nixon took a hatchet to the program and it has never recovered. Yet every president since Nixon has promised to support and expand the Peace Corps, including President Obama. So where is the support?
Kristof writes:
Peace Corps and Teach for America represent the best ethic of public service. But at a time when those programs can’t meet the demand from young people seeking to give back, we need a new initiative: Teach for the World.
He's right -- the Peace Corps can't meet the demand. But that is because the program is horribly underfunded. Do you have any idea how much the Peace Corps received in the last budget? $340 Million. $340 million dollars to support 7,000 volunteers, plus administration and staff, in 76 countries. Check out these facts:
over 15,000 people applied for under 4,000 spots in Peace Corps in 2009
there was an 18% increase in applications to Peace Corps from 2008 to 2009
Some applicants have reported one-year deferrals when applying to Peace Corps due to the budget shortfall
This isn't the time to fool around with shiny new programs. This is the time to finally realize President Kennedy's plan for the Peace Corps, to fund the program and to get Americans out into the world to promote peace, cooperation, and understanding. There are more and more countries out there that want Peace Corps volunteers but can't get them because there isn't enough money to open new programs. Right now there is a push to increase funding in the new budget and to hold President Obama to his promise. If you would like to help, take action here: http://www.morepeacecorps.org/.
-- RPCV Morocco 2004-2006