The National Peace Corps Association, the nation's leading nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps Community, is looking for nominations for the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award by this Friday, Feb. 1.
The qualifications are simple: The recipient must be an outstanding leader who grew up in a country where Peace Corps Volunteers have served and whose life has been influenced by the Peace Corps. We are looking for someone who's made a significant contribution to the world in a way that reflects the core values of the Peace Corps: service, development, peace, human rights, health advocacy and global understanding.
The award is named for Harris Wofford, former U.S. senator and special assistant to President John F. Kennedy, who was instrumental in the formation of the Peace Corps, and will be given out annually to a notable individual.
Its first recipient was Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria, distinguished businessman and philanthropist who received the award in 2011.
Over the years, Abubakar has spoken eloquently about how he was influenced by four Peace Corps volunteers he met years ago. Aside from his career in politics, he's also given more than $300 million to support educational and health-related organizations in Nigeria, including founding the American University of Nigeria in 2005 through a partnership with American University in Washington, D.C.
This year's Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award will be presented at the National Peace Corps Association's Peace Corps Connect: Boston annual gathering on June 28-29, 2013. The winner of the award will deliver the Global Leaders Lecture and will also travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.
We often talk about the good that Peace Corps Volunteers do around the world. But they have an indirect effect as well that can extend far beyond the time they spend in a host country.
The Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award is just one way to recognize the ways that Americans serving their country can also serve the world. Help us spread the word and submit your nomination today.
Nominations are now being accepted through Friday, Feb. 1. To make a nomination, visit the association's awards page, complete the form online, and send it along with a nomination letter and supporting materials to woffordaward@peacecorpsconnect.org.
Erica Burman is the director of communications for the National Peace Corps Association, the nation's leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps community. To learn more, visit this website.