The Early Years of the Peace Corps in Iran (1962-64): A Volunteer's Perspective

Soon after the establishment of the Peace Corps by President John F. Kennedy, the First Peace Corps Group to Iran arrived in September, 1962. There was an infant administrative structure and the lack of any precedent which created unique sets of circumstances for those first PC Volunteers. This presentation will highlight some of these circumstances based upon personal experience including firsthand village witness accounts of Iranian government reform efforts. As it happened, the Peace Corps Group One experience in Iran coincided with the origination of the "White Revolution" of the Shah and the attempt to introduce land reform and literacy to rural areas. The first Peace Corps Group was partly intended to be among the vanguard of this effort. It was a rocky road.