Lately, I’ve been reading articles and policy briefs arguing the need to increase the number of American volunteers abroad. The argument is basically that volunteers serve a more important role in establishing peace and stability, as well as promoting a positive image of Americans, than the military does with weapons. Additional benefits to volunteering include increased volunteer connections and participation in the community, knowledge of local community challenges and personal growth through strengthened habits of citizenship and service. I am in complete agreement with the authors of these documents because, from my experience, the Peace Corps was a great tool to allow Armenians to understand the altruistic side of Americans, and for me to understand the humanitarian and hospitable side of the Armenians. I am more aware of the community I live in and, when graduate school allows, offer my services to community causes.

Today, we continue with human suffering based on intolerance and misunderstandings. We see images on television or internet displaying the worst acts of human aggression because we choose to remain ignorant, and steadfast in our irrational ideologies rather than listening and trying to understand the differences that make each of us unique. Volunteering your time abroad, even if for a short period, can make a difference in your life and the lives of the host nationals in which you encounter. I would encourage you to read the following articles that offer policy recommendations for Congress to support funding that will expand the number of Peace Corps volunteers, and develop a Global Service Fellowships Program that supports a wide array of non-government organizations, faith-based entities, corporations, and universities seeking to put more American volunteers abroad in the name of global peace and stability.

• The Best Diplomats: American Volunteers
• Global Service Fellowships: Building Bridges Through American Volunteers
• International Volunteering: Smart Power
• Reconsidering the Peace Corps
• The Peace Corps in a Turbulent World

Young and old, we all have something to contribute to a more stable and peaceful world! Contact your congressman today and ask them to support increased funding for international volunteer programs.

Great power and great wealth do not necessarily produce greater respect or greater security… [An] effective foreign policy in the age of global politics must combine power and cooperation.

–Daalder and Lindsay in Agenda for the Nation

Putnam privileges primary interpersonal ties above all other forms of social and political activity, because he believes such interactions uniquely foster trust and cooperation. The more face-to-face group interaction a nation has, the healthier its people and the more efficient its government and economy will be.

–Skocpol in Diminished Democracy

I received on a listserve I am part of at the university. There are great tips listed here that I am glad to see Laura and I have been practicing for years. Not only do you help contribute to reducing the effects of global warming, but you save money. Taking care of the environment makes economic sense.

UNPLUG IT!!!

Please unplug all plugs from outlets while you are gone for the holidays. Save energy while you’re gone!
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PHANTOM LOADS

Did you know that many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These “phantom” loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home (and office), 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strips.

Nationally Phantom loads make up about 6% of our entire residential electricity consumption! A decrease of 1% of industrial energy use would save the equivalent of about 5.5 million barrels of oil per year, worth about $1 billion. (UC Berkeley)

Unplugging your electronics when not in use, or using a power strip to shut them down, can eliminate as much as 500 pounds of greenhouse gases each year and trim your electric bill, and that’s just for one power strip! (Seattle Power and Light) =============================================================

CHECKLIST FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION WHEN YOU’RE GONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
TURN OFF AND UNPLUG:

• Surge protectors
• Printers and photocopies
• Computers
• Office Equipment
• Stereos, lamps
• Space Heaters
• Micro-waves/coffee pots, rechargeable items unplugged
• Thermostats set back to 55 degrees
• Hallway lighting kept to minimum
• Windows tightly closed and locked
• Blinds drawn/closed
• Lighting and computer monitors and cpu’s off when unoccupied
• Personal refrigerators emptied, cleaned, shut off and left open

Have a safe and pleasant holiday!
THANKS FOR PULLING THE PLUG ON GLOBAL WARMING!