6.30.2008 - 03:13pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK,NY, June 30, 2008(PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- PricewaterhouseCoopers is ending 100 college interns with 21 of its top performing partners and staff to Belize City, Belize for a unique international volunteer experience. Called "Project Belize," the effort will refurbish four schools, provide academic support to students and build a Leadership Development Center, which will include a new library and computer lab. As part of the experience, interns and PwC partners and staff will be publishing comments, perspectives and photos on www.pwc.com/us/projectbelize.

Continuing PwC's focus on helping create the next generation of leaders, Project Belize instills PwC's Corporate Responsibility values within interns and PwC partners and staff. The program is a partnership with Peacework, an international volunteer organization whose purpose is to help alleviate poverty and promote peace through economic development opportunities.

"Leaders are formed through unique experiences that build character and skills," says Shannon Schuyler, managing director of Corporate Responsibility at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Project Belize is an example of our drive to create leaders both within our firm and throughout global communities."

PwC interns were selected from a deep pool of nearly 500 applicants. Prior community service, ideas for sustaining the effort in Belize, and future project proposals for the program were weighed in each application. PwC high-performing partners and staff were selected from markets throughout the United States. In addition to working closely with Belizean students, they will play a critical mentoring role that enhances the experience for interns.

"The program is a tremendous opportunity for interns to gain exposure to an event that will shape their lives personally and professionally," says Robert Daugherty, partner and U.S. sourcing leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Experiences like Project Belize create a rich environment that makes PwC so attractive to talented students seeking
to build a career."

Along with the refurbishment of schools and construction of the Leadership Development Center, PricewaterhouseCoopers volunteers will teach basic lessons on economic and business concepts, entrepreneurship, and how to apply this knowledge to create their own social or market (capital) venture plan. The lessons reinforce the necessity of life-long skills building, education, goal-setting and perseverance for a successful future.

"Project Belize is an exciting addition to the typical intern experience not only because it will help me learn about the work environment at PwC, but more importantly because I can give back to a community in need of assistance," says Brendan McGovern, PwC intern and Project Belize participant. "The opportunity to participate in such a unique and rewarding experience confirms that my decision to work at PricewaterhouseCoopers was the right one."

Project Belize is among hundreds of community service projects undertaken by PwC throughout June, as part of the firm's third annual Month of Community Service initiative. During the past two years of the program, PwC contributed more than 100,000 volunteer hours to nearly 400 community service projects across the United States, worth an estimated $10-15 million in donated firm time.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 146,000 people in 150 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

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