On 13 May, the Grassroots Advocacy Table of the United Religions Initiative (URI)’s Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons Cooperation Circle organized an event “100 Seconds to Midnight.” Anna Ikeda of SGI, who was part of the organizing team, joined the panel discussion as one of the speakers. The event addressed the two existential threats facing humanity and …
Joint Interfaith Statement on Killer Robots – A Plea for Preserving Our Shared Humanity
On the occasion of the first International Day of Human Fraternity, Soka Gakkai International worked together with Pax Christi Northern California and the World Council of Churches to issue a joint interfaith statement “A Plea for Preserving Our Shared Humanity” in support of the work of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. The statement reads, in part: “Our shared belief …
SGI’s 2021 Peace Proposal Published
On 26 January 2021, the 39th annual peace proposal of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), titled “Value Creation in a Time of Crisis”, authored by its President Daisaku Ikeda, was released, marking the anniversary of the founding of the SGI. The proposal calls for further global cooperation to address the key issues of our time: the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate …
Joint Interfaith Statement on the Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
Welcoming the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entering into force on 22 January 2021, over 160 organizations worldwide endorsed a joint interfaith statement coordinated by the Faith Communities Concerned About Nuclear Weapons, which SGI is part of. The endorsers of the statement congratulate, celebrate and appreciate the countries that have ratified and signed this important Treaty, …
SGI’s Digital Tools Celebrating the Entry into Force of the TPNW
On the occasion of the entry into force of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on 22 January 2021, SGI produced two educational tools to inform the public about the significance of this milestone. The treaty was adopted in July 2017 at the United Nations Headquarters. It is the first international law that comprehensively prohibits all …
2020 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum on “Race and Intersectionality”
From 19 to 21 October, SGI and the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots co-hosted Part One of the 2020-2021 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum virtually, with a record attendance of 115 participants. This is an annual forum held parallel to the UN General Assembly First Committee session in the fall. Since 2012, the Forum has brought together campaigners from various humanitarian disarmament …
Taking an Intersectional Approach to Fully Autonomous Weapons
In August 2020, the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots’ Working Group on Intersectionality (WGI), which was established by the Campaign’s Steering Committee, conducted its first official meeting. The group was formed earlier this year, in recognition of the consequences and challenges posed by systemic and structural inequalities that exist within civil society. The primary objective of the group is to …
Interview with UN Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
UN Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs was interviewed by the Seikyo Shimbun as part of its monthly Culture of Peace series. Ms. Nakamitsu covered topics such as the United Nation’s 75th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the role of civil society in supporting the UN, how to accelerate actions for nuclear disarmament …
SGI Statement on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by 50 States
On the occasion of the ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) by the 50th state party, Honduras, on October 24, 2020, Soka Gakkai International made the following statement. The press release announcing the statement is available via Religion News Service. [Photo credit: ICAN/Ralf Schlesener] We wish to wholeheartedly welcome the ratification, on October 24, …
Interview with Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Co-President of the Club of Rome
Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, renowned activist, medical doctor, academic, global public servant, political thinker, and Co-President of the Club of Rome was interviewed by the Seikyo Shimbun as part of its monthly Culture of Peace series. During the interview, Dr. Ramphele stresses that in the face of our unprecedented global crisis, now is a rare moment for us to make fundamental …