President Kennedy directs his staff to find ways to include private citizens in a “people-to-people” program as part of the Alliance for Progress. The unique concept of bilateral “partnerships,” linking volunteers in Latin America and the Caribbean, is born.
Assistant Director for USAID-Peru and Texan Jim Boren comes up with the idea of a two-way, volunteer-based network of partnerships. The president of Peru (a University of Texas graduate) loves this idea. Texas-Peru Partners is formed, and planning begins for “Partners of the Alliance.”
Florida and Northeast and Central Colombia Partners is formed, with a focus on grassroots projects in education and community development.