Peace, Culture & Education

Part of a global network of dedicated individuals, currently represented in 192 countries, SGI is a Non-Government Organisation with formal ties to the United Nations. SGI actively promotes peace, culture and education in local communities around the world. SGI members, inspired by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, strive to contribute in areas such as the arts, music, inter-faith dialogues and raising awareness through educational activities and exhibitions.

President Ikeda had been an advocate of cross-cultural exchange. His conviction was that music, art and other cultural expressions enhance the richness of human life and can inspire mutual respect and understanding in our diverse world. He was the founder of institutions such as the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research, Soka Universities in Japan and the USA, the Soka School System, the Min-On Music museum and concert hall and the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.

United Nations Peace Proposal

Every year since 1983 until 2022, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda has published a peace proposal and presents this to the United Nations. These proposals explore the interrelation between core Buddhist concepts and the diverse challenges global society faces in the effort to realise peace and human security.

Josei Toda’s Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons

In September 1957, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda made a declaration calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. This address by Toda has had a deep impact on shaping the passion of Soka Gakkai members towards contributing in practical ways to peace internationally, nationally and locally.

This declaration has inspired young people in particular to challenge the destructive tendencies that exist in society by taking part in activities such as the SGI Oceania Youth Peace Conference held in Sydney in September 2006. In SGI Australia, young people participate in additional activities, study and training opportunities. Through such positive expressions of hope, they actively contribute to a fundamental transformation in the life state of humanity.

Community Activities in Australia

Exhibitions, seminars, conferences and contributing to local community events are some of the collaborative activities in which SGI Australia participates. SGI Australia also enjoys close friendships with various leading universities, peace research institutes and community organisations.

While SGI Australia’s contribution to the community is best expressed in group discussion meetings, members also participate in and support community activities and festivals such as Clean Up Australia Day and Harmony Day. In this way, members strive to be good citizens and active participants in their local community.