2023 International Forum on Daisaku Ikeda’s Philosophy Held at Chinese Culture University, Taiwan
Sixteen scholars from eight universities presented papers at the forum
On March 2, 2023, the Chinese Culture University (CCU) in Taiwan held its 14th international forum on the research of Daisaku Ikeda’s peace ideals. Under the theme “The Noble Path of Culture and Education,” the forum explored links between the ideals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and those of Mr. Ikeda. Some 400 students and faculty members attended, and sixteen scholars from various fields representing eight universities presented papers in breakout sessions.
The forum was hosted by the CCU’s Daisaku Ikeda
Research Center and commemorated the center’s 20th anniversary. Owing to the
COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first time in four years that the forum was
held.
March
2, the day of the forum, is designated by CCU as “Culture and Soka Friendship
Day,” attesting to the strong ties of friendship between CCU and Soka
University, founded by Mr. Ikeda.
In a message read by Soka University President Masashi Suzuki, Mr. Ikeda noted that we are at the halfway point for the implementation of the SDGs. He said embracing and promoting the ideal of the SDGs of “leaving no one behind” would become a source of inspiration to awaken human goodness and transform crises into new opportunity, and that education has an important role in this regard. Emphasizing his belief in the ability of humanity to overcome great difficulties, he urged people not to give into pessimism about the future despite intensifying climate change, conflict and other global challenges.
In
his keynote address, Soka University Advisor and former president Yoshihisa
Baba described the university’s efforts and plans for promoting the SDGs.
Former
CCU president, Dr. Lin Tsai-Mei, addressed the significant role of the economy
in creating human happiness in this age of globalization and, in this regard,
discussed the importance of Mr. Ikeda’s philosophy of global citizenship, with
its focus on contributing to the welfare of others.
[Adapted
from an article in the March 3, 2023, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
