Ministry of Interior Recognizes Contributions
Tirana March 15, 2011 NOA – Ambassador Alexander Arvizu and Peace Corps Country Director Hill Denham joined Albania’s Minister of Interior, Lulzim Basha and Deputy Minister of Interior Ferdinand Poni, for a ceremony today at the Ministry of Interior, to recognize Peace Corps Volunteers contributions in assisting Local Government units in Albania.
The Ministry of Interior (Local Government Division) is one of Peace Corps Albania’s primary partners. Over the past 7 years, over 110 Community and Organization Development Volunteers have worked in Albania in this program, assisting local government units to improve organizational development, management skills, information technology, program design and management and public relation. COD Volunteers work with their local counterparts to promote community participation and outreach around community priorities.
At the ceremony today, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Interior recognized Peace Corp’s 50th anniversary. He also thanked Peace Corps for its contribution and pledged the Ministry’s support for advancing the inter-institutional collaboration.
About Peace Corps
On March 1, 1961 President John F. Kennedy signed the Executive Order establishing the Peace Corps. In the 50 years since that time, over 200,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 host countries. Although times have changed, the Peace Corps remains true to its mission of promoting world peace and friendship through 3 goals:
Helping the people of interested countries meet their needs for trained men and women
Promoting a better understanding of Americans on the part of people served
Promoting a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans
About Peace Corps Albania
The Peace Corps program in Albania currently has over 74 Volunteers placed throughout the country working in 3 projects: Health Education, English Teaching, and Community and Organizational Development. The Peace Corps opened its program here in 1991, but suspended it in 1997. In 2003 Peace Corps reopened its office. Nearly 300 volunteers have served in Albania.
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