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Mexico City, December 15, 2005- "The Peace Corps is entering its second year of a highly successful initiative in technical cooperation with Mexico's National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT). I salute the efforts of the Peace Corps that provides experienced volunteers to work with CONACYT counterparts, promoting Mexico's economic and technological development,” said U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza.
Mr. Stephen Kelly, the United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, presided over a ceremony today in Queretaro where fifteen new Peace Corps volunteers were inducted into service. Lic. Alberto Mayorga, Director of Technology for CONACYT, also attended the ceremony. The induction of these new volunteers brings the total number in Mexico to 25. In 2006, approximately 25 more volunteers will be invited to participate in the program.
The new technical volunteers will work for a period of two years with nine of CONACYT's applied technology centers located in central Mexico. With an average of 15-20 years professional experience, the volunteers work in environmental protection, business advising, information technology and industrial technologies.
Peace Corps is an independent volunteer agency established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. It invites American citizens to dedicate two years of their lives working in foreign countries, both to advance economic development, as well as to integrate into the work and culture of the host countries, thereby fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
Since 1961, over 171,000 U.S. citizens have served in 137 countries. Currently, Peace Corps has over 7,000 volunteers working in 73 countries. The program in Mexico, focusing on technical cooperation, is the newest Peace Corps initiative.
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