Service in Action

By Reem Ghunaim, Rotarian Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) Executive Director

Rotarian leadership is pioneering solutions to our world’s biggest problems and is the power behind Rotary’s century old legacy. This philosophy is affirmed by Paul Harris: “I would like to think that the pioneering days of Rotary have only just begun. There are just as many new things to be done as there ever were…many of them without our will. Even to hang on to the fringe of this fast-changing world is about all most of us can do. Rotary simply must continue to pioneer or be left in the rear of progress.”

Major stepping stones for the path to peace were laid down by Rotarians. After World War II, Rotarians led the advocacy for basic Human Rights. Rotarians signed the Declaration of Human Rights 72 years ago and this universal declaration is still vital to peacebuilding today. Rotarians see beyond the status quo as they aspire to reach new heights for advancing peacefulness in our world. They never “pass” on challenging problems because they recognize their responsibility to Wage Peace. Often, we hear Rotarian peacebuilders ask, “If we don’t step up to solve this problem, who will?” Rotarians are inspiring humanitarians, effective problem-solvers, and daring leaders who are the same peacebuilders that make up the Rotarian Action Group for Peace.

The Rotarian Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) is an international organization made of peacebuilders represented in over 110 nations. Our mission is to activate the Rotary family to lead peacebuilding worldwide. We elevate peace by mobilizing Rotarians and Rotaractors to join RAGFP global network of peacebuilders and Peacebuilder Clubs. Our global network empowers communities to connect, convene and collaborate for sustainable peace action.

Rotarian and Rotaractor peacebuilders are leaders who advance peace through dynamic, strategic, and sustainable solutions. First, they utilize their collective knowledge and experiences to analyze the needs of their communities and offer dynamic approaches to address these needs. Second, Rotarians and Rotaractors generously invest in their strategic solutions for peace. The compounding impact of their peace investments spill over to expand sustainable positive peace to all humanity. Third, Rotarian and Rotaractor peacebuilders are the best organizers for peacebuilding. They reach out to other partners and experts, and utilize the best ideas, resources, and networks to achieve their peacebuilding goals.

RAGFP believes that we can lead peace through service. Peace is the essential humanitarian cause to meet all of Rotary’s objectives. Service is the essence of peace leadership in Rotary. When RAGFP combines peace and service, we enhance the experience, expand the outreach, and optimize the engagement for Rotary’s members to thrive as people of action.

Join the RAGFP’s global network to support Rotary’s call to action for Peace. Become a pioneer of peace with the RAGFP today by engaging with our 2020 peace actions.

• Activate Positive Peace in your communities by studying RAGFP’s educational workbook. We are happy to announce that it will be available on Rotary’s Positive Peace Academy this month.
• Join our Middle East Peace Education Trip designed to establish a fair understanding of the challenges and opportunities for peace. Our goal is to trigger peace action by meeting, interacting and supporting Israeli and Palestinian grassroots peacebuilders to form sustainable Global Grants in the region.
• Register for the Rotarian Peace Projects Incubator in Geneva. Work in interdisciplinary teams of Rotarians, Peace Fellows, experts, and global peace organizations to initiate 20 sustainable Global Grants for peace.
• Join RAGFP Global Network of Peacebuilder Clubs to pioneer peace with people of action around the globe.

As we celebrate peace month in Rotary, we need to recognize that peace is embedded in the attitudes, structures and systems surrounding all of us. The RAGFP is focused on positively shifting attitudes, expanding peace structures and enhancing peace systems for the betterment of all humanity.

Donate to Rotarian Action Group for Peace to help engage, empower and educate Rotarian peacebuilders around the world. For details, contact the Rotarian Action Group for Peace at contact@rotariansforpeace.org.