February 26, 2020. Safeguarding Schools against Human Trafficking. Written by James Flannagan RAGFP Intern.

Estela Landeros is a Rotarian and lifelong educator who has tirelessly worked to eliminate human trafficking from schools worldwide. She partnered with Just Ask Prevention, a non-profit that educates teachers and students about the signs of human trafficking, as well as strategies to protect their communities.

February 20, 2020. Afghanistan 163/163. By the Rotarian Action Group for Peace.

Out of 163 nations, The IEP ranked Afghanistan as the world's least peaceful nation. The prolonged conflict has devastated the socio-economic system of Afghanistan. Despite many efforts by the international community, the region is still suffering from the lack of positive peace structures in place. The Majority of the Afghan population is living in inhumane conditions. Lack of access to clean drinking water, electricity, gas, and other utility services makes daily life in Afghanistan incredibly harsh. The United Nations and several NGOs are working in Afghanistan to improve the deteriorated socio-economic conditions but a majority of the population is still not receiving the resources they need due to conflict. According to the Afghan Ministry of Economy, in 2018 a total of 1,656 NGOs are working in Afghanistan. A total of 2,537 projects were undertaken and spent 876 million USD to improve the living conditions of over 37 million people.  The major spending was in the social protection sector but these projects rarely served populations outside of the capital city, Kabul. To build resilience in these communities, Peacebuilders and leaders must strategize projects to make resources available near these conflict zones. 

How to Add Peace in your Life 2020. By Barbara, Gaughen-Muller. February 3rd, 2020. 

Now that the calendar has flipped to 2020, we have a new year filled with promise and resolutions. If you are like most of us, your plate is filled to overflowing. Do you ever say to yourself, “I wish I could just find a little peace?” In our very busy lives with to-do lists and global unrest, you may feel peace is just impossible. My goal is not to give you one more should, like “you should be peaceful,” or one more item to add to your lists. I just want to show you how small steps can help you add peace to your daily life. The following five tips and tricks are easy and enjoyable ways to impact your — and others’ — lives for the better this new year, a new decade.

January 27, 2020. Tell RI Trustees to add the Environment as a Rotary Area of Focus. 

It's time to add a new Rotary Area of Focus. Help the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) tell Rotary International Trustees to add "Ensuring Environmental Sustainability" to Rotary's Six Areas of Focus. Because all life on Earth relies on the health of our environment, the RAGFP supports ESRAG's position that Rotarians cannot fully serve humanity and peace if Rotary does not also focus on the wellbeing of the planet. 

January 16, 2020. Originally Published by Rotary International on January 9, 2020.

From human rights violations to the impacts of climate change, Rotary and Makerere University are offering a postgraduate certificate program to peace and development leaders who are from or who have worked in Africa to address the underlying challenges to peace in the region.

January 3, 2020. Wage Peace in 2020 with the RAGFP. Published by the RAGFP.

It's 2020-- do you have a clear vision for Peace? January is a time to reset our resolutions, aim our sights on new goals, and motivate one-another to make the new year grand. As peacebuilders, we always want to pursue Peace in our communities, but sometimes the task seems daunting. The Rotarian Action Group for Peace is here to help you with our shared mission for Peace. To motivate your Peace resolution for the new year, here's a list of steps that you and your Rotary Club can accomplish to Wage Peace in your community with the RAGFP. 

By the Rotarian Action Group for Peace. December 10, 2019. 

Today is Human Rights Day, the 71st anniversary of the UN's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UHDR). The 2019 theme for Human Rights Day is Youth Standing Up for Human Rights. We want to educate youth on the rights they were born with, empower them to raise their voices, and help them engage a wide range of audiences to promote human rights issues. To enhance an ecosystem for peace worldwide, it is essential for youth to be activated in the protection and promotion of human rights. Here are 5 ways to celebrate Human Rights Day with the RAGFP. 

December 5, 2019. Written By Jerria Martin, originally published by Rotary Voices.

Diversity is important to my club, and that’s a big reason why I am a member and past president. My club is a second family to me, one that began investing in me all the way back in 2006. As a senior in high school, I received a Rotary Scholarship as part of my club’s annual scholarship competition. The program is just one way my club embraces and seeks diversity. We invite a graduating senior from every high school, public and private, from all neighborhoods and walks of life, to share their leadership and service skills with us. Every senior who is chosen receives a scholarship. I was a recipient of that program. And I knew that Selma’s business and community leaders believed in my vision and were willing to invest in my future. That’s what created in me a desire to be a Rotarian. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the first organization I’d be joining after returning home from Princeton would be our local Rotary club.

Published December 2, 2019, by the Rotarian Action Group for Peace. 

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Something about the chill in the air, the shorter days, and the endless festivities help remind us all how to live with love, harmony, and peace. As you prepare to celebrate with your loved ones, we would like to share and reflect on the quote by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Elie Weisel: “Mankind must remember that peace is not God’s gift to his creatures, it is our gift to each other.” We have an opportunity to act now and celebrate peace together. Here at the RAGFP, we want to make it easy for you to give the gift of Peace this holiday season and on #GivingTuesday.

November 17, 2019. By Julien Believe, Published in Rotary Voices Blog.

Three years ago, I penned “I Believe in You,” along with my amazing team, with one purpose in mind – to inspire and motivate. It is a timeless song for anyone that needs a moral boost or just a little nudge to say, “you matter.” After the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in both Abaco and Grand Bahama, it was only fitting that I release ”I Believe in You” with a few tweaks. My fellow country mates needed help but most importantly they needed HOPE. This song is designed to create a sense of hope, strength and assurance in knowing that we, as a nation, will live up to being strong.