Itjimaa 2001 schedule

Itjimaa 2001

POSTPONED
see details

Join us in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in 2001. We are coming together this year to recognize the leading roles over 160,000 RPCVs play in teaching America’s children, shaping its foreign policy, expanding and enriching its business sector, and volunteering in its local communities. We are also highlighting the importance of Peace Corps service to our global and local communities. The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is coordinating a number of activities throughout the year and we encourage you to get involved and help us in "Celebrating 40 Years of Service".

The climax is the NPCA biennial Conference September 20-23, 2001. The weekend highlights include Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, keynote speakers, workshops, world music concert, world Bazaar, Mall exhibits, Volunteer Day, Habitat for Humanity house dedication, a Remembrance Ceremony, a picnic and to finish off the weekend - a Gala at the Kennedy Center. All events at the mall are free. This includes World Music at the Sylvan Stage on Friday and Saturday, the procession to Arlington and the games on Sunday. Details at http://www.rpcv.org/pages/celebrate.cfm. Barbara Ferris (Morocco 80-82) is Chair, 40th Anniversary Task Force.

Friends of Morocco (with 4000 former volunteers and staff and 39 years of service in Morocco) will also be staging it's biennial Itjimaa (gathering, assembly) simultaneously. NPCA Conference registration is recommended but is not required for participation in most FOM events (Annual meeting, World Music Concerts, Reception at Ambassador's residence, Procession across Memorial Bridge with COS flags and Arlington Cemetery Recommitment/Memorial Service). Events will be coordinated with the NPCA Celebration and include:

Thursday, September 20
         Morocco Year of Service and private reunions (TBD)
        Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Open, but please contact advocacyassistant@rpcv.org to register. (There are limited spots left but we are looking for RPCVs from several key states including North Carolina)
        Capitol Hill Reception 5 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        FOM Business Meeting 6:30 pm (FOM Members)
        Smithsonian Associates Night with RPCVs 8 p.m. (Separate Registration)

Friday, September 21
        Opening Plenary: Keynote Speaker – Peruvian President –elect Alejandro Toledo 9 a.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Career Fair 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        International Bazaar 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Open)
        Global Challenge on the Mall 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Open)
        Writing Workshops Noon-5 p.m (Conference registrants only)
        Lunch on the National Mall. Noon to 1 (Conference registrants only)
        RPCV Authors read from their works in DC schools Noon - 5 p.m. (Open)
        Film Festival noon; 2:30, 7:30 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Activities on the Mall 1-5 p.m. (Open)
        Panels 1:30-5 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Live Chat with Peace Corps Volunteers 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (Open)
        World Music at Sylvan Stage 5:30 p.m. (Open) Assemble around the Moroccan flag
        Peace Corps Staff Reception 7 p.m.-10p.m. Separate ticketed event (possibly sold out at this point)

Saturday, September 22
        Volunteer Day 8 a.m.-noon (Open, but transportation to site for conference registrants only)
        Presidents’ Forum 9 a.m. –10:30 a.m. (Conference registrants only) (FOM Officers will attend)
        Career Workshops 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        International Bazaar 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Open)
        Live Chat with Peace Corps Volunteers 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Open)
        Annual General Meeting 10:30 a.m.–noon (Conference registrants only)
        Lunch! Noon – 1 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Author Readings Noon - 5 p.m. (Open)
        World Music 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Open) Assemble around the Moroccan flag
        Activities on the Mall 1–5 p.m. (Open)
        Panels 1:30 – 3 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Film Festival 2-5:30 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Friends of Morocco Updates 3:00 - 4 p.m. (FOM Members) and assemble for Reception
       Reception hosted by Embassy of Morocco including Morocco Updates by Peace Corps, Embassy and others at the         residence of the Ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Abdallah El-Maaroufi   5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (FOM Members) See Reservation list

Sunday, September 23, 2001
        March across Memorial Bridge to Kennedy gravesite with COS flags 8:00 am (Open)
        Lunch Noon-1 p.m. (Conference registrants only)
        Games on the Mall 1:30–5 p.m.  (Open)
        Reunite at the Kennedy Center Gala (Separate Registration)

NPCA has a list of RPCVs from Morocco that are registered for the Conference.

FOM Hospitality Coordinator is Anne Reese 202 333 7237. Call to offer or seek housing. There is also Peace Corps 40th Anniversary Home Hospitality Network which is soliciting lodging and offering housing for all participants.

To save you money, special NPCA flight and car rental discount codes are available and should be used when planning your travel. You may contact Bear Creek Travel, an RPCV-run travel business at 1(800)994-6443 or at bctravel@pacbell.net for reservation assistance.

Call or email Tim Resch at 703 660 9292 or tresch@att.net to volunteer for FOM Itjimaa organization. Volunteer opportunities also abound at the Conference

Other 40th Anniversary events

40 Years of Peace Corps Writers Tour. The tour is being coordinated by Peace Corps Writers with assistance from the National Peace Corps Association. The tour brings to life the writer’s work though a series of readings by Peace Corps writers at bookstores, high schools, and colleges across the country. According to PeaceCorpsWriters.org publisher Marian Haley Beil, “we are trying to reach all kinds of audiences, anyone who is interested in other cultures, other countries, and stories well told by gifted writers.” Scheduled readings early in 2001 are set for New York City, Santa Barbara, California; Denver, Colorado; St. Paul, Minnesota; Boston, Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois and Washington, DC. Details at http://peacecorpswriters.org/

Other 40th Anniversary events are also planned nationwide leading up to the National Celebration in Washington, DC. See http://www.rpcv.org/pages/sitepage.cfm?id=235 for the schedule. You can also organize an event in your area.

The Peace Corps will celebrate this milestone anniversary between October 2000 and September 2001 with events that commemorate the people who have been part of the agency's 40-year history and that generate awareness of the programs and initiatives that guide the work of Peace Corps Volunteers today -- and into the future. Details at http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/40thanniversary.html

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