Based on the fundamental principle of enabling all people to cultivate their characters and lead fulfilling lives, SGS organises various educational events to enable members and friends to play an active role in issues relating to their lives.
Similarly, the Soka Preschool is founded upon the principle of value-creating humanistic education, one where both the programme and teacher-student relationship are focused on developing each child to his or her fullest potential.
In 2008, SGS and Singapore Management University (SMU) signed an agreement to establish the SGS-Ikeda Peace Award to recognise students’ efforts to put classroom learning into practice, apply the soft skills necessary to become effective, creative and flexible, and socially responsible leaders for the 21st century.
In 2020, SGS is honoured to establish the Singapore Soka Education Bursary with the National University of Singapore (NUS). Starting from academic year 2021/2022, the Singapore Soka Education Bursary will be awarded to financially needy undergraduates enrolled in any course of study at NUS, bursary recipients would need to demonstrate contributions to the community through efforts in volunteerism and peace work, as well as qualities in leadership and social responsibility.
SGS has been promoting the message and values of peace, culture and education via public education programme that includes a series of exhibitions and videos. The exhibitions and videos have been very well received by the community and are often used by educational institutions as learning tools.
The following exhibitions have been widely featured at schools, regional libraries, community centres and other public platforms:
Informational / educational videos:
Like all major world religions, Buddhism is essentially a religion of peace.
Since 2001, SGS has been holding peace lectures and seminars annually to promote discourse and exchange on issues pertaining to the peace and happiness of humanity. These events have also significantly become platforms for inter-faith and inter-racial dialogues and exchanges.
SGS-SMU Collaboration
In 2015, SGS collaborated with the Singapore Management University (SMU) on two 5-year lecture series of Annual Ikeda Peace and Harmony Lecture and the Wee Kim Wee-Soka International Seminar on Global Peace and Understanding. These events have become platforms for interfaith and inter-racial exchanges among individuals from different walks of life.
On 8 March 2019, SGS and SMU held a gift signing ceremony to mark the renewed partnership for an additional five years from 2020 to 2024.
The Youth for Peace Symposium was initiated by the SGS Student Division to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the formation of the Soka Gakkai Student Division in 2017. Through the sharing of SGI President’s annual Peace Proposal submitted to the United Nations to address key prevailing societal issues, the Symposium aims to bring forth the passion and power of the Student Division and Youth, and trailblaze the way for peace throughout the world.
The Daisaku Ikeda Annual Lecture (DIAL) was instituted in 2000 in honour of Dr Daisaku Ikeda (1928 – ), peace activist, poet, writer, photographer and philosopher who has contributed greatly to humanity by way of his works in these areas. Besides being widely known as the president of Soka Gakkai International, Dr Ikeda is also the founder of Soka University in Japan and the United States, the Ikeda Centre for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue and the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research.
DIAL seeks to provide a platform for distinguished individuals to speak on issues of concern to humanity that pertain to peace, culture and education. The lectures aim to further promote the sharing and exchange of views and ideas for the betterment of humanity.
In 2006, SGS published “New Thinking on Peace” which is a collection of papers that were delivered by 11 distinguished speakers at the peace lecture series.
The first Youth Peace Lecture was held in 2001 in response to September 11. Since then, the annual Youth Peace Lecture has become an event of great importance in engaging youths on issues relevant to peace, culture and education. The event also serves to inspire youths to play an active role in contributing to building peace in society.
In conjunction with the Student Division 21st Anniversary in 2005, the Division held its inaugural Student Peace Lecture (SPL). The SPL had since become a significant academic collaboration between Student Division and the Universities.
The Women Peace Lecture (WPL) formed in 2004, is an initiative of the Soka Women to encourage greater women participation in activities promoting peace, culture and education. The WPL aims to create awareness and understanding of the potential of women as peace messengers and peace builders.
In celebration of the International Women’s Day, SGS women together with community partners, launched a Women for Peace movement, with the hosting of a Women for Peace Interfaith Symposium on 9 March 2019 at the SGS Headquarters, and the inaugural launch of the “Friend in the Orchid Room” befriending programme.
On 2 February, over 1,000 people attended the 8th Annual SMU-Soka International Peace Symposium held at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium at the Singapore Management University.
On 6 September, the 9th Annual SMU-Ikeda Peace and Harmony Lecture, titled “Happiness and Peace in a Troubled World” convened with great success, drawing an online audience of approximately 1,200 attendees via Zoom and Facebook LIVE.
On 3 July, SGS did a book donation of President Daisaku Ikeda’s titles to the Central Library of the National University of Singapore (NUS). This is the second book donation to the University with the first personally carried out by Mr Ikeda during his inaugural visit to Singapore 35 years ago in 1988.
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