Peace Corps Announces Participation in the 2013 Global Diaspora Forum with Phelps Stokes

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 9, 2013 – The Peace Corps is proud to announce that it will cohost a panel discussion with higher education partner Phelps Stokes on the experiences of the African diaspora.

Can You Go Home? Understanding the Diaspora will be an interactive panel during which participants will unpack the term diaspora.  The event will focus on how and why diaspora communities engage with their heritage communities. Featured panelists include Gabino Guerengomba, Founder of Integrated Solar Technology, Julian Kiganda, President of African Diaspora for Change, Paula Olson, Logistics Coordinator of Business Community Synergies, and Emira Woods, Co-Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. The session will be moderated by Pape Samb, President and CEO, Phelps Stokes. Small group discussions with panelists and event attendees will follow.

Phelps Stokes was first established in 1911 by an act of the New York State Legislature through a bequest of philanthropist Caroline Phelps Stokes. The organization has a distinguished history of promoting racial and social justice in the Americas and Africa, often preceding societal trends. It was founded in conjunction with major New York philanthropies including the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Dr. Ralph Bunche, a Phelps Stokes Trustee for approximately 20 years, was the first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Peace Corps works to ensure that its volunteers represent the best of America. Peace Corps’ Office of Diversity and National Outreach (ODNO) implements strategic outreach strategies for the recruitment of applicants from historically under-represented communities and those with specialized skills in order to enrich and strengthen Peace Corps programs abroad.

Currently, more than 8,000 volunteers are working with communities in 76 host countries on projects related to agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development. After 27 months of service abroad, Peace Corps volunteers with four-year degrees return home as global citizens with cross-cultural, leadership, language, teaching and community development skills that position them for advanced education and professional opportunities in today’s global job market. After service, returned volunteers receive support from the Peace Corps in the form of career services, graduate school opportunities, advantages in federal employment, readjustment allowances, and loan deferment and cancellation opportunities.

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit  for more information.