WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Dec. 3, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Peace Corps will bring the service and development communities together for a conversation that explores the impact volunteers have on international development.

“Volunteering for Development: Mobilizing for Global Impact” will feature remarks from USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah and Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet, as well as special guests U.S. Representative David E. Price, Special Olympics International Chairman of the Board Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, VSO International Chief Executive Marg Mayne, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States Bockari Stevens and Provost of the George Washington University Dr. Steven Lerman.

The event will include remarks from agency heads and a panel discussion. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Small Project Assistance (SPA) program, a partnership between USAID and Peace Corps that allows Peace Corps volunteers and their communities to access small grants and training to implement grassroots development projects.  Tuesday’s event will feature award-winning photographs taken by Peace Corps volunteers demonstrating the impact of SPA projects, including providing safe drinking water to a community in Vanuatu, educating youth about HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso, and providing hot meals to hungry children in Paraguay.

RSVP:  Media interested in attending should RSVP to pressoffice@peacecorps.gov.