"A Towering Task" - The Peace Corps Documentary

CARV and SORVO will host a showing of the Peace Corps documentary, "A Towering Task."  Narrated by Annette Benning, this film tells the story of the Peace Corps - past, present and future.

There will be a free screening of the film available from Sept. 12 at 1 pm until Sept. 13 at 1pm.  This will be followed by a Zoom discussion with the director of the film, Alana De Joseph.  Click here to register for the events.  For last minute questions, contact Katie Fogarty at katherine.sylvester81@gmail.com. 

Founded during the Cold War, the Peace Corps stands as an icon of American idealism. From the beginning its mission of world peace and friendship proved to be a towering task. Imbued with the unbounded energy and vision of its charismatic leader, Sargent Shriver, and thousands of vigorous volunteers, the story of the Peace Corps is a uniquely American tale. From the political machinations to establish not just a brand new government agency, but a new concept in international relations, to the growing pains of an agency striving to define its mission, A Towering Task takes viewers on a journey of what it means to be a global citizen.

Host country nationals, Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, and scholars and journalists take a closer look at peace building, economic development, and political independence through the Peace Corps’ nearly six decades of trials and transformations. Today Peace Corps volunteers serve in over 60 countries and more than 200,000 have returned since 1961, but America is reevaluating how to engage with the rest of the world. With government agency budgets under fire, increased nationalistic tendencies in America, and Peace Corps Volunteers at the forefront of some of the most pressing themes facing the global community, A Towering Task asks: What role should the Peace Corps play in the 21st century?