The Foreign Service Journal, October 2008

like Strauss and Ludlam, is the administration’s failure to resolve the ongoing debate about the future role of the organization as it relates to public diplomacy and devel- opment. Tschetter insists that the arguments for a major over- haul are weak. “The Peace Corps was never intended to be a development organization, and its mission to pro- mote world peace and friendship is still at the core of everything we do,” he says. At the same time, he points out, returned volunteers report by large margins that their experience was a good one, while surveys the agency has conducted in host communities — as well as the continuing high demand in foreign countries for Peace Corps Volunteers — demonstrate that the agency remains a successful good- will ambassador. But Strauss’s and Ludlam’s views from the field are far different. They argue that the Peace Corps is in dan- ger of losing its relevancy abroad. Strauss says that many volunteers grow disheartened when they are asked to continue with projects that host communities have not found useful, or to take on tasks that easily could be performed by the communities themselves. And because of lax supervision —many vol- unteers in remote locations are only visited once or twice a year — some volunteers ignore rules designed to keep them safe and productive, leaving their work sites and treating the Peace Corps experience as an extended vacation. “It’s unrealistic and wildly naïve to expect individuals, most of whom are young and have never been overseas before, and who are dealing with a new culture, new lan- guage, and little structure, to succeed with so little ongo- ing guidance,” he says. In Strauss’s view, the current situation poorly serves host countries. “What they want are qualified, trained, dedicated individuals to help get a job done.” The Peace Corps risks its reputation, he says, if it continues to send out ill-prepared young people destined to fail. An effective reform plan, Strauss suggests, would F O C U S O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 25 * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * t Luxurious Suites t All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops t Fitness center t Complimentary in-room coffee t Full service restaurant t Parking available t Across fromMain State t White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated HHH 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservationsagent@ RBpropertiesinc.com