Oath Ceremony of the 13^th Peace Corps Volunteers group was held in Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The group consists of 19 English language teachers and 11 volunteers of organizational development program. They have successfully accomplished 11-week pre-work training in Georgian language, culture, healthcare and security issues and professional skills. The volunteers lived in host families in Khashuri during the trainings in order to ensure their adaptation with Georgian environment.  Within the English language teaching and organizational development program the volunteers will work in ten regions of Georgia: Ajara, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Shida Kartli.

Oath giving ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Science David Zurabishvili, representatives from US Embassy, the Peace Corps, other partner organizations and institutes.

“Representatives of Peace Corps teach English language in the regions for free along with Georgian teachers. This is very important, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia is concerned with the issue of teaching international communication language in the regions and villages of Georgia. This program encourages interaction between the Georgians and Americans. Public diplomacy is the best form of diplomacy. Signing of a memorandum between The Ministry of Education and   Science of Georgia and the Peace Corps is planned in the nearest future. This will encourage closer cooperation between the Organization and the Ministry” –noted Deputy Minister David Zurabishvili.

The US Peace Corps operates in Georgia by the request of the Government of Georgia and serves social and economic development of the country by means of providing qualified human resources. Peace Corps Program started in Georgia in 2001. 500 volunteers have  served in the country up to present.