U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne Swears in Ten Peace Corps Volunteers

Ambassador Anthony Wayne with new volunteers in Queretaro

Mexico City, November 9, 2011 – U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne today swore-in ten Peace Corps Volunteers in Queretaro.  The volunteers will work in the environment sector in close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the National Commission for Protected Areas (CONANP), and the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), in Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Hidalgo. 

“Peace Corps Volunteers represent the best that the United States has to offer: our people,” Ambassador Wayne said.  “By providing technical assistance, they strengthen Mexican institutions and the ties between our two nations.  We are proud of their work and grateful for their service.”

The group brings to 77 the number of volunteers serving in Mexico; a total of 193 have served since the program began in Mexico in 2003.  Established in 1961 by President Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship, the Peace Corps now supports over 8,000 American volunteers serving in 77 countries. 

Volunteers work in one of two programs: technology transfer for sustainable economic development, or strengthening sustainable use and management of Mexico’s environment.  Volunteers share their academic and professional experience in the following areas: technology transfer, engineering, information technology, business administration, English instruction, natural resource and watershed management, wildlife protection, reforestation and environmental education.  These volunteers bring a vast wealth of experience to their service in Mexico.

The swearing-in also provided Ambassador Wayne with an opportunity to meet officials from SEMARNAT, CONANP, and CONAFOR to discuss the contributions of the Peace Corps Volunteers to their programs, as well as to meet regional representatives and directors from the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) centers.

The officials expressed their appreciation for the expertise they have benefitted from due to the Volunteers in their agencies and states, and described aspirations of opportunities for future collaboration.  The Volunteers showed enthusiasm, vision, and innovation in their attempts to coordinate between CONACYT's centers, and in expanding business links between American and Mexican companies.  Several also described their additional projects "after hours" to help their local communities, some offering free classes in English and others in helping local NGOs.