Brookings: Projects - Initiative on International Volunteering and Service

Global Economy and Development

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:49:38 GMT

Presidents Obama and George H.W. Bush: Building Bridges Through Service

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By highlighting the critical role of volunteerism in addressing challenges at home and abroad, President Obama spoke to American community service participation at a forum Friday hosted by former President George H. W. Bush and the Points of Light Institute. David Caprara says the bipartisan nature of America’s vibrant service movement is urgently needed.

Initiative on International Volunteering and Service

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:53:25 GMT

International Volunteer Service: A Smart Way to Build Bridges

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has proposed expanding the Peace Corps and building a global network of volunteers. To achieve this goal, David Caprara, Kevin F. F. Quigley and Lex Rieffel examine alternative service models and offer policy recommendations to the Obama Administration to further enhance U.S. volunteer opportunities with the goal of strengthening America’s multilateral development engagements.

The Kennedy Serve America Act: A New Boost for Service

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will double the size of AmeriCorps and increase volunteer opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. David Caprara discusses the significance of the new legislation.

Renewing America through National Service and Volunteerism

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, David Caprara spoke to the effectiveness of international volunteering and how it is an essential element of the U.S. response to critical challenges at home and abroad.

International Service and the Obama Administration

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has stated his commitment to enhancing service and volunteer opportunities for Americans both at home and abroad. David Caprara, the director of Brookings’s Initiative on International Volunteering and Service, explores the administration’s agenda in this Q&A.

A Better Place for the Peace Corps

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Peace Corps, although the standard of excellence for international volunteering, remains constrained by budget issues and low numbers of volunteers. In a recent World View article, Lex Rieffel proposes the creation of a Corporation for International Study and Service that includes the Peace Corps as one solution and outlines potential benefits.

We Are a Service Nation

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As Senators McCain and Obama gather in New York at the ServiceNation Summit in New York on September 11, David Caprara and Steven Rosenthal examine the nature of volunteerism and service and how international volunteering enhances America’s public diplomacy efforts.

The Peace Corps and More

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Peace Corps is frequently noted as one of the best tools of American soft power since its creation more than 50 years ago. In a new policy brief, Lex Rieffel and Kevin Quigley recommend strengthening the Peace Corps and detail a specific proposal for the next administration.

Ten Times the Peace Corps: A Smart Investment in Soft Power

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Reversing the negative attitudes toward the United States that prevail in many parts of the world will require a mix of hard power and soft power instruments. Brookings Fellow Lex Rieffel and National Peace Corps Association President Kevin F. F. Quigley provide recommendations for scaling up the Peace Corps and argue that such an effort could contribute measurably to strengthening America’s relations with the rest of the world.

The Impact and Future of AmeriCorps

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 13, 2008, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Since the launch of AmeriCorps in 1994, more than a half million Americans have served in the program and helped support local nonprofits and communities in activities, including education, poverty alleviation and disaster support. Brookings and the Corporation for National and Community Service hosted a forum on the role of AmeriCorps in helping to create future public service leaders.

Corporate Philanthropy 2.0

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As corporations have become more global, so have their philanthropic efforts. International corporate volunteering is one of the newest ways corporations are reaching out and in a new op-ed, David Caprara, director of Brookings’ Initiative on International Volunteering and Service, discusses the trend and shares best practices from a recent study.

Volunteering for Impact: Best Practices in International Corporate Volunteering

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Congressional Briefing on the Global Service Fellowship Act

Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 24, 2007, 12:00 AM to

Brookings's International Volunteering and Service Initiative hosted a briefing for policy-makers on the importance and impact of global service. Sens. Russell Feingold and Norm Coleman announced their recently proposed Global Service Fellowship Act of 2007 (S. 1464), which aims to expand the number of American volunteers serving overseas through NGOs, faith based organizations, universities and the private sector.

Global Service Fellowships: Building Bridges through American Volunteers

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

David L. Caprara, John Bridgeland, and Harris Wofford argue that as policy-makers search for ways to share the best of America with the world, they should start with our international volunteers, who embody this country's spirit of generosity, resourcefulness and hope. With the support of Congress and the Bush Administration, volunteers can become the first face of America to communities in many nations, while advancing concrete initiatives that lift up the lives of the poor throughout the world.

The Best Diplomats: American Volunteers

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Editorial by David Caprara in the Washington Post, advocating volunteerism as effective public diplomacy.

International Volunteering Leadership Forum

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 05, 2006 at 12:00 AM

Brookings launched a national initiative aimed at increasing the number of U.S. volunteers in international service as part of an International Volunteering Leadership Forum featuring government, corporate and civil society leaders.

Initiative on International Volunteering and Service Working Group Meeting

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 14, 2006 at 12:00 AM

International Volunteering: Smart Power

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Lex Rieffel and Sarah Zalud argue that Americans engaging in volunteer work in other countries encourage more favorable attitudes among foreigners toward America and generate greater understanding among Americans of foreign perspectives. A more robust cross-cultural dialogue could make the United States less dependent on hard power, which has high budget costs.

Reaching Out: Americans Serving Overseas

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Lex Reiffel (12/7/05)

Reconsidering the Peace Corps

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #127: ""Reconsidering the Peace Corps"" by Lex Rieffel. (December 2003)

The Peace Corps in a Turbulent World

Wed, 15 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Working Paper by Lex Rieffel, Global Poverty Reduction Initiative (10/15/03)