Global Country of World Peace
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| Formation | October 7, 2000 |
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| Founder | Maharishi Mahesh Yogi |
The Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) was inaugurated by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, on October 7, 2000. It is a non-profit organization that promotes Transcendental Meditation, education, and the construction of "buildings for peace" in the world’s major cities. The GCWP was originally conceived as "a country without borders for peace-loving people everywhere." It has issued a currency called the "Raam," and its leader is neurologist Tony Nader.
In 2002, the GCWP was incorporated in the state of Iowa, USA with its headquarters in Maharishi Vedic City. It has administrative or educational centres in the U.S., the Netherlands and Ireland. The GCWP made unsuccessful attempts to obtain sovereign land as a micronation during the years 2000 to 2002.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the GCWP's tax filings describe its mission as the creation of world peace 'by unifying all nations in happiness prosperity, invincibility, and perfect health'. The mission of the US-based division of the GCWP, according to a 2005 article, is to promote "enlightenment, good health, and peace through the practice of Transcendental Meditation" and to build palaces of peace in 3000 of the world's major cities.
Raam is a bearer bond and local currency issued by Global Country of World Peace. It was designed for the development of agricultural projects and to combat poverty in third world countries. As of 2003, it had limited acceptance in some European and U.S. cities. The currency has been used in Iowa and has been also given approval in The Netherlands where more than 100 Dutch shops, department store chains, in 30 villages and cities, are using the notes at a fixed rate of 10 euros per raam.
The Raam is issued in denominations of 1, 5 and 10 Raams, with one Raam equal to 10 Euros in Europe, and one Raam equal to 10 dollars in the U.S. Raam notes are printed by Joh. Enschedé. In 2002, Maharishi Vedic City Mayor Bob Wynne estimated that there was $40,000 worth of Raam in circulation. The Raam differs from other complementary currencies because its focus is on the export of products rather than improving local circulation to benefit the lives of local people. According to the Minister of Finance for the Global Country of World Peace, the Raam "could be used" for agricultural projects in developing nations.CATO Institute currency expert James Dorn expressed doubt about the viability of the plan, suggesting that other economic approaches would be a better way to establish a network of collective farms. According to the issuer, the Raam is also a bearer bond that earns a total of 3% interest after five years (0.6% simple interest annually).
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