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Dr. K.A. Paul conducts massive Peace Rallies throughout the developing world during which our initiatives are explained and launched. These rallies allow our initiatives to address the human needs confronting the community and garner public support to resolve these problems with strong community-based solutions. This in turn promotes peace, security and stability among the population while providing an opportunity for them to volunteer the human resources needed to implement the initiatives. In short, we create a significant base of support for the initiatives among women, children, and the poor.

The immense Peace Rallies also give us ready access to presidents, prime ministers, kings and governmental leaders who have the power to make positive changes for their constituents. Human rights abuses are addressed with a view to creating a better, more equitable society. Through these contacts, we are often positioned to help stop conflicts and war and negotiate peace between communal or tribal leaders and even countries in conflict.

In major cities and small tribal villages throughout the developing world, communities are gathering together to discuss how they can meet the challenges facing their less fortunate neighbors. The solutions are positive and far-reaching, proudly owned and directed by the local volunteers who are determined to help their community.

In August 2000, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, and several African presidents met to negotiate a peace agreement between the Hutus and Tutsies. War between these factions had resulted in more than a million deaths. The efforts of Clinton and Mandela succeeded in bringing 16 of the 19 political factions together to sign a peace accord in Burundi . A few weeks later ( September 17, 2000 ), Dr. Paul led a peace rally in Burundi . Thousands of Hutus and Tutsies attended. Dr. Paul challenged the crowds and their political leaders to lay down their hatred and desire for revenge and take up the cause of peace. As a result, the remaining three leaders who had earlier rejected the peace accord agreed to sign it. During the peace rally, 1,118 children orphaned as a result of the genocide were adopted by local families through GPI’s Street Children’s Initiative.