The Atlas Service Corps (Atlas Corps) is a new citizen sector business model that will revolutionize international service and build a global partnership for development. Atlas Corps brings rising citizen sector leaders from developing countries to volunteer at U.S. Organizations for a one year fellowship. By reversing the flow of volunteers, Atlas Corps challenges the status quo, turning all previous international volunteerism models (like the Peace Corps) on their head. Atlas Corps strives to build the capacity of the citizen sector both in the U.S. and in developing countries through this exchange. Developing countries from around the world will send rising citizen leaders to the U.S. to volunteer, learn skills, share knowledge, and come home to strengthen their domestic citizen sector. These fellowships will address a wide range of issues related to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Today, 300+ volunteer exchange programs exist that send people from “the West” to “the developing world”, and at least one sends people from one developing nation to another. These programs vary in degrees of success and sustainability, but none of them bring people from the “developing world” to the “the West” to train people and build capacity. The Atlas Corps will build the network and the institution necessary for the citizen sector to compete, grow and prosper in this new world. These international exchanges will help the citizen sector provide more services, improve technology, and implement more evaluation.

Source: www.atlascorps.org