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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Students from the U.S. Lead U.S. Government Delegation to Norway
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-4320
# 98 -139FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Gross, Jessamyn Sarmiento
Friday, October 23, 1998WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, students from six pilot schools throughout the United States will depart for Oslo, Norway to kick-off their involvement in Operation Day's Work, a program supervised by the U.S. government foreign aid agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is adapting Operasjun Dagsverk, a 30-year old Norwegian program, to the U.S. This program will broaden students' knowledge of the world and the forces that impact nations' economies, communities, and individuals, while raising money to aid developing nations. Operation Day's Work creates a framework to expose students to the dynamic and diverse world around them and learn about the importance of volunteerism and community building. Currently the U.S. ranks last in per capita income spent on foreign aid; programs like this one helps young people understand the importance of U.S. involvement in development around the world.
According to J. Brian Atwood, Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, "today's youth will have the opportunity to explore the world through Operation Day's Work. This program will raise student's awareness about global economic issues, the importance of preventing wars, the impact of disease on populations and the necessity of democracy building. It will teach them that they can be real leaders and that a good idea can make a powerful difference in helping people improve their own lives".
Annually, students will select a developing country in which to fund a project related to education, for example, school construction or repair, school supplies and textbooks, and scholarships or vocational training. Students will then learn about their pre-selected developing country, and become fully immersed in all aspects of the country they have chosen. Students will then spend the "Day of Work" volunteering in the community to raise funds. Proceeds earned by the students are donated to the development assistance project in the country they have chosen. This year, the students in the U.S. have selected Haiti as their focus country.
To better understand the project, two students from each school, accompanied by their teachers, will be visiting Norway. They will spend time at the homes of Norwegian students and participate in activities during International Week when students organize activities leading up to the Norwegian Day of Work.
Six pilot schools are participating in Operation Day's Work this year, including schools in Quincy, Mass., Minneapolis, Minn., Washington, D.C., Grand Forks, N.D., Milwaukee, Wis., and. Thetford, Vt. Each year the program will expand and will eventually be an independent organization managed by students throughout the U.S.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
