he Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then-Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship.   Since that time, more than 170,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 136 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation.   Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, stepping into new countries like East Timor, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and committing more than 1,000 new Volunteers as a part of President Bush's HIV/AIDS Act of 2003. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.   There's quite a bit to learn about the Peace Corps—explore the following sections to get to know its mission, history, and current endeavors in depth:   Learn about the Peace Corps' three goals. Stats, facts, figures and other Peace Corps information. In-depth information on the countries in which Volunteers are placed. Learn more about the individuals and institutions supporting Volunteers around the world. Find out what Christopher Dodd, Bob Vila, and Paul Theroux have in common. As needs around the world change, so does the Peace Corps. A list of books about the Peace Corps experience, many written by returned Volunteers. Imagine yourself in the Peace Corps with pictures from Volunteers in Guatemala, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Romania, and more. View Peace Corps' new television public service announcement. In 2004 the Peace Corps held a photo contest to add to its library of photos for marketing and historical uses.   If you think you're ready to join, you can click here to apply now.       Peace Corps recruiters appear at information sessions, campus and community events, and career fairs. Pick your state and find a Peace Corps event near you. -- Select state -- Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas Cal. (-93000) Cal. (93000+) Colorado Connecticut Delaware Washington, DC Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming   Read our privacy and freedom of information policies.