RPCV/W is honored to serve as a host group for Peace Corps Connect, and we want to see you there. Sept 12 is the last day to confirm your registration and participate in a nationwide conference showcasing the vitality of our community and how it continues to affect positive change.
You can purchase tickets for one event or show your support with a full registration. The fun kicks off on Wednesday, Sept 21 with a screening of The Eritrean Exodus and Stories of Peace, led by accomplished RPCV writers and storytellers. If you organize or lead an RPCV affinity group, be sure to attend the Affiliate Group Annual Meeting on Thursday, Sept 22. Friday and Saturday will see workshops and panels led by RPCV experts in their fields, and on Sunday, Sept 25, hundreds will gather to take 5,500 steps to celebrate 55 years of Peace Corps at the Walk for Peace.
Many affinity and country of service groups will also be holding reunions and get-togethers, and Peace Corps Headquarters will conduct the ever-popular East Coast Career Fair and the 1st National Black Peace Corps Gathering too! Here are the complete details, from the NPCA's website:
Featured Speaker: Nobel Laureate and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
On Friday September 23rd, 2016, President Sirleaf will address the Peace Corps community during the presentation of the Deborah Harding Women of Achievement Award ceremony, taking place during NPCA's Peace Corps Connect conference. President Sirleaf, a lifelong advocate for girls and women, is Africa's first democratically elected female Head of State. During her career, she has been a voice for peace and reconciliation, serving on committees investigating conflict in her own country, the Rwandan genocide and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and was selected by UNIFEM to report on the impact and importance of women in peacebuilding.
Peace Corps Connect will also feature
Schedule Overview
Wednesday, September 21
International Day of Peace Film Festival
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
REFUGEE: THE ERITREAN EXODUS - Follow Chris Cotter, an American traveler, as he explores a common migration path through Ethiopia and into Israel, tracking the plight of Eritrean refugees. Chris and his crew visit several refugee camps, including the never-before-documented Afar region. The refugees tell stories of oppression, torture, and survival. Searching for solutions, Chris speaks to various NGOs and experts, including Assistant Secretary of State, Anne Richard. The outlook is bleak, but the spirit of the Eritrean refugees is hard to ignore. The screening will be followed by a discussion with The America Team for Displaced Eritreans President John Stauffer (Eritrea 1966-68).
Stories of Peace: A Workshop Series
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
RPCVs have some of the most compelling and inspiring stories. Sign up for this series of workshops to learn how to find, craft and share your story. You will participate in a workshop on Spoken Word Storytelling, a workshop led by John Coyne of Peace Corps Writers and a panel discussion with published RPCV authors led by Marian Haley Beil, co-founder of Peace Corps Writers. Come share your Peace Corps stories and learn how other RPCV have successfully published their memoirs, novels, and poetry.
Thursday, September 22
Capitol Hill Advocacy Day
Time: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Join hundreds of fellow RPCVs and Peace Corps supporters on Capitol Hill to advocate for a bigger, better Peace Corps. Meet with your Members of Congress and share why Peace Corps matters. All are welcome - whether you served in Peace Corps or not. No advocacy experience necessary! A training session will be offered.
Affiliate Group Network Annual Meeting
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Leaders of NPCAs 150+ affiliate groups gather for an afternoon of networking and exchanging best practices that serve to strengthen our community. Registration form
Friday, September 23-24
Conference Sessions
Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Participate in a leadership summit to explore the Peace Corps community's response to key UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join over 1,000 members of the Peace Corps community as we hear from leaders in the field and participate in breakout sessions and workshops to delve deeper into your interests.
Saturday, September 24
Conference Sessions
Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Participate in a leadership summit to explore the Peace Corps community's response to key UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join over 1,000 members of the Peace Corps community as we hear from leaders in the field and participate in breakout sessions and workshops to delve deeper into your interests.
Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award Reception
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join the Peace Corps community in celebrating the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award winner, Ibrahima Sankare of Mali, a global leader who was influenced by the Peace Corps and who has gone on to significantly impact his country. Light hors d'oeuvre, beer and wine will be served.
View the conference program below.
Sunday, September 25
Walk for Peace
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Want to see more Volunteers in the field? Want to help improve RPCV post-service health care? Want to have more resources for PCV and RPCV projects? Want to provide clean drinking water to a village?Join hundreds of fellow RPCVs and Peace Corps supporters at the Walk for Peace as we champion why America and the world need Peace Corps, and more of it. The walk will begin at University Yard at George Washington University, travel down Pennsylvania Ave. past the White House, and end on Capitol Hill for a speaker series highlighting the impact of Peace Corps. Facebook event
Ways to Volunteer
Use our Member Led Events page to plan your own event to coincide with the conference. Click the RSVP button below to receive an email with discount code information! After you get the code, visit the registration page to buy your ticket.