Peace Corps

On our blog, we share our Quote of the Week as well as other insights about our work and about our community. As our society continues to struggle with some of the same issues that Sargent Shriver focused on -- poverty, racism, inequality, war -- we believe it's important to share our stories with each other. Do you have a story to share about Sargent Shriver or about one of the issues he cared about? Share your story with us by emailing it to info@sargentshriver.org. Maybe we'll post it here!

Sep 22

"The challenge of the Peace Corps"

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

"They asked me to talk about 'the challenge of the Peace Corps'. The challenge is simple to express, difficult to fulfill: PCVs, stay as you are ... be servants of peace ... work at home as you have worked abroad, humbly, persistently, intelligently."Sargent Shriver | Washington, DC&...

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Jan 18

"If you want to change the world, start small"

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week guides us towards the loftiest of goals, that of changing the world. It reminds us that ambitious change can start immediately, so long as we begin with one small, concrete step.In 1965, Sargent Shriver gave this address to the graduating students at St. John’s University in...

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Oct 11

"The Peace Corps is ..."

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week encapsulates Sargent Shriver’s ambitious vision for the Peace Corps,  that it should contribute to the elimination of the scourges of humanity around the world – poverty, hunger, ignorance and disease. In 1962, Sargent Shriver found himself at a Puerto...

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Sep 20

"Make the World Safe for Democracy"

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week is a reminder of the Peace Corps’ connection to protecting democracy. As we mark the 61st anniversary of the creation of the Peace Corps this week, we’re thinking about how we can protect democracy at home and around the world in 2022.Sargent Shriver spoke these words at the...

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Sep 12

Reflecting on the Politics of Service

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week describes a service-oriented notion of politics. It is a notion that involves every citizen, and that Sargent Shriver embraced with enthusiasm and energy for the people he served throughout his life.In his speech to the New York University Class of 1964, Sargent Shriver...

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Jul 18

"The most powerful force we have"

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week reminds us that our greatest power as a people is not fueled by economic strength or by military force. It comes from our ability to work in service of peace, justice, and love.In his 1964 Address to Bellarmine College, Sargent Shriver describes how the United States...

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May 17

Spiritualizing Politics without Politicizing Religion

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week conveys a principle that is central for understanding Sargent Shriver. It is also one that we must embrace as a people today, for we can only tackle political polarization and address our most challenging social issues if we infuse our political and cultural conversations,...

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Mar 22

The Peace Corps and Democracy

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week marks the 61st anniversary of Sargent Shriver's appointment to the post of Director of the Peace Corps. The connections that Sargent Shriver makes between the Peace Corps and democracy are important to remember today.This week, our quote comes from Sargent...

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