The Seventh Daisaku Ikeda Annual Lecture was successfully held on December 10, at the SSA Headquarters. Speaking on the topic, “Buddhism, Singapore and Interfaith Dialogue”, Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), HE Ambassador K Kesavapany engaged the audience throughout the session with his lively sharing. Chairing the session was Professor Howard Hunter, President of the Singapore Management University.
Some 800 guests and members attended the evening’s event, including some 30 guests from the religious, academic and community circles. In his opening speech, Dr Gwee Yee Hean, Chairman of the DIAL committee, shared, “This lecture is held annually to honor Dr Daisaku Ikeda for his contributions to humanity, especially in the domains of education, culture, environment and peace – all of which are vital to our survival in this somewhat troubled world. With great tenacity and indomitable courage, Dr Ikeda immersed himself in leading the world to follow the righteous path which he mapped out for us in his insightful addresses and publications, many of which have been translated in major languages of the world. There is not the slightest doubt that his influence is felt far and wide, for he is an inspiring guru and a truly humane teacher.”
In his sharing, speaker Ambassador K Kesavapany also expressed his hopes for SSA to spearhead the area of Interfaith Dialogues (IFD) in multi-religious Singapore, an area which both Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Foreign Minister George Yeo have articulated their hopes for Singapore to become a Hub for the IFD. SM Goh had even suggested that a World Summit of Religious Leaders be held in Singapore. The World Conference of Religion for Peace has expressed interest to make Singapore the site for the permanent WCRP Asian secretariat.
On this significant occasion, the highest SSA accolade – the SSA Friendship Award was presented to Professor Howard Hunter for his invaluable support to SGS’s endeavours in the areas of peace, culture and education. (Speaker HE Ambassador K Kesavapany was also a recipient during last year’s DIAL 6 lecture.) President Hunter in his sharing highlights his admiration for President Ikeda in his ceaseless efforts in conducting dialogues for the sake of peace.
The event was covered in The Straits Times and TODAY newspapers on the following day. The Straits Times report was published on HOME news on December 11, where “Interfaith talks: Make the effort” highlights SGS’s efforts in interfaith work.
[About the Speaker
Mr K Kesavapany is the Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. Prior to this, he was Singapore’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1997 to 2002. He also served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Italy (1991-1997) and Turkey. He was elected as the first Chairman of the General Council of the WTO when it was established in January 1995. He was the Chief Negotiator for Singapore for the Korea-Singapore FTA which concluded in July 05. Mr Kesavapany is a member of the Singapore Mediation Centre’s International Panel of Mediators.
Mr Kesavapany graduated from the University of Malaya with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree and obtained a Master of Arts (Area Studies) degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Mr Kesavapany is Non-Resident Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.]
