Quality. Independence. Impact.

Home | Contact Us | Media Resources

Sunday July 5, 2009

Welcome   |   Register   |   Log in

SPOTLIGHT: Volunteering


World Bank/Alejandro Lipszyc - A volunteer teaches street children in Salvador, Brazil.

Save to My Portfolio International Volunteer Service: A Smart Way to Build Bridges

David L. Caprara, Kevin F. F. Quigley and Lex Rieffel, June 2009

President Obama has proposed expanding the Peace Corps and building a global network of volunteers. To achieve this goal, David Caprara, Kevin F. F. Quigley and Lex Rieffel examine alternative service models and offer policy recommendations to the Obama Administration to further enhance U.S. volunteer opportunities with the goal of strengthening America’s multilateral development engagements. Read More

Volunteering, Peace Corps, Economic Development, International Relations, Development

Serve America Act


CNCS photo by M. T. Harmon, Office of Public Affairs

Save to My Portfolio The Kennedy Serve America Act: A New Boost for Service

David L. Caprara, April 03, 2009

President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which will double the size of AmeriCorps and increase volunteer opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. David Caprara discusses the significance of the new legislation. Read More

Volunteering, Civil Society, Development, Diplomacy, International Education

International Service


Reuters/Jim Young - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Martin Luther King III paint drawers and cabinets in a room at Sasha Bruce House.

Save to My Portfolio International Service and the Obama Administration

David L. Caprara, February 19, 2009

President Obama has stated his commitment to enhancing service and volunteer opportunities for Americans both at home and abroad. David Caprara, the director of Brookings’s Initiative on International Volunteering and Service, explores the administration’s agenda in this Q&A. Read More

Volunteering, Peace Corps, Civil Society, Development, Diplomacy

Spotlight: Peace Corps


Reuters/Andres Moraga

Save to My Portfolio A Better Place for the Peace Corps

Lex Rieffel, Fall 2008

The Peace Corps, although the standard of excellence for international volunteering, remains constrained by budget issues and low numbers of volunteers. In a recent World View article, Lex Rieffel proposes the creation of a Corporation for International Study and Service that includes the Peace Corps as one solution and outlines potential benefits. Read More

Peace Corps, Volunteering, Civil Society, Diplomacy, Development

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio The Peace Corps and More

Kevin F. F. Quigley, Lex Rieffel, September 10, 2008

The Peace Corps is frequently noted as one of the best tools of American soft power since its creation more than 50 years ago. In a new policy brief, Lex Rieffel and Kevin Quigley recommend strengthening the Peace Corps and detail a specific proposal for the next administration. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio We Are a Service Nation

David L. Caprara, Steven C. Rosenthal, September 10, 2008

As Senators McCain and Obama gather in New York at the ServiceNation Summit in New York on September 11, David Caprara and Steven Rosenthal examine the nature of volunteerism and service and how international volunteering enhances America’s public diplomacy efforts. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio Global Service Fellowships: Building Bridges through American Volunteers

David L. Caprara, Harris Wofford, John Bridgeland, March 2007

David L. Caprara, John Bridgeland, and Harris Wofford argue that as policy-makers search for ways to share the best of America with the world, they should start with our international volunteers, who embody this country's spirit of generosity, resourcefulness and hope. With the support of Congress and the Bush Administration, volunteers can become the first face of America to communities in many nations, while advancing concrete initiatives that lift up the lives of the poor throughout the world.
  Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio Ten Times the Peace Corps: A Smart Investment in Soft Power

Kevin F. F. Quigley, Lex Rieffel, September 2008

Reversing the negative attitudes toward the United States that prevail in many parts of the world will require a mix of hard power and soft power instruments. Brookings Fellow Lex Rieffel and National Peace Corps Association President Kevin F. F. Quigley provide recommendations for scaling up the Peace Corps and argue that such an effort could contribute measurably to strengthening America’s relations with the rest of the world. Read More

Advanced Search | Tips

My Portfolio

My New Content

View suggested content based on items you have saved to your Portfolio.
Log in or register now

Related Initiatives

View All Initiatives »

Top Topics

View All Topics »

Spotlight

Research Project21st Century Defense Initiative

The 21st Century Defense Initiative produces cutting-edge research, analysis, and outreach that address some of the most critical issues facing leaders shaping defense policy in the coming century. The initiative focuses on three core issues: the future of war, the future of U.S. defense needs and priorities, and the future of the U.S. defense system

Policy CenterCenter on the United States and Europe

The Center on the U.S. and Europe is dedicated to the study of Europe and U.S.-Europe relations. It involves American and European experts in an active program of research, analysis, and debate.

TopicEducation

The economic and political well-being of any democracy requires a well-educated citizenry. Brookings’s work has extended beyond the K-12 bookends to include pre-school interventions and issues in higher education. Experts are tackling fundamental issues on the role of education in the national and global economy.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

TopicHealth Care

Brookings is committed to producing innovative policy solutions to our nation’s most difficult challenges. The country may face no more important domestic policy challenge than the much-needed reform of our health care system. Through an institution-wide effort, Brookings delivers new ideas and offers policy solutions to improve health care both at home and globally.

ExpertEswar Prasad

Eswar Prasad, who holds the New Century Chair in International Economics, is a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development. He is the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University and was previously head of the Financial Studies Division and the China Division at the IMF.

TopicMigration

Migration is an issue that bridges Brookings’s expertise in domestic and foreign policy. In the United States, reforming immigration policy remains a subject of intense political debate. Globally, the unprecedented movement of people across borders raises issues in both industrialized countries and the developing world.

ExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is a security studies professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

ExpertMartin Neil Baily

Martin Baily, a former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, focuses on issues of globalization, productivity and competitiveness, Social Security reform and U.S. economic policy.

ProgramMetropolitan Policy Program

Redefining the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive and sustainable ways.

ExpertSarah A. Binder

Sarah Binder is an expert on Congress and legislative politics.  She is completing a project on the politics of advice and consent, and is at work on the politics of how Congress responds to financial crises.

Research ProjectAfrica Growth Initiative

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Research ProjectBudgeting for National Priorities

The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

Policy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

ExpertRobert Puentes

Robert Puentes focuses on the broad array of policies and issues related to metropolitan growth and development. He is an expert on transportation and infrastructure, urban planning, growth management, suburban issues and housing.

Policy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.