Celebrating 40 Years of Dialogue: A Call for Human Revolution
Dr. Peccei and Mr. Ikeda meeting for the fourth time (Tokyo, January 1982)
On October 8 and 9, 2024, a conference titled “It’s Time for a Human Revolution! Sparking Action through Inner Transformation and Mutual Learning” was hosted at Taplow Court, SGI-UK’s national center. The event was co-organized by The Club of Rome, its Fifth Element initiative and the Soka Gakkai, with support from SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.
The
conference brought together seasoned academics, activists and youth from around
the world, including representatives from The Club of Rome’s youth network, 50
Percent. The conference attracted 150 participants in person, and over 450
joined a live stream session on October 9.
This event is part of a joint project marking the 40th anniversary of Before It Is Too Late, a dialogue between The Club of Rome cofounder Dr. Aurelio Peccei (1908–84) and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023), and the 45th anniversary of No Limits to Learning, a report to The Club of Rome. It explored the theme of inner transformation—described by Dr. Peccei and Mr. Ikeda as “human revolution”—an essential for building a sustainable and peaceful society.
Prior to the October conference, on August 28, a webinar was held to launch the initiative, with Mamphela Ramphele, former co-president of The Club of Rome, among the speakers.
A Legacy
of Dialogue and Action
The intergenerational panel discussion on October 9, 2024
On October 8, SGI-UK General Director
Justine Marchant welcomed participants, followed by words from The Club of Rome
Secretary-General Carlos Álvarez Pereira and SGI Europe Cochair Robert Harrap. Mr.
Harrap emphasized how Mr. Ikeda and Dr. Peccei, despite their different
cultural and religious backgrounds, had identified solutions to shared human
challenges through dialogue, expressing his personal commitment to follow their
example.
Presentations were made on how inner change can spark societal change. Alice Ferrario of the youth-led Senzatomica campaign on nuclear disarmament in Italy spoke on the topic of “Humans and Self.” Karima Kadaoui, member of The Club of Rome, addressed “Human and Others,” while Dr. Alexandra Goossens-Ishii of the SGI Office for UN Affairs, discussed “Humans and Nature.”
Participants then engaged
in dialogue by groups to explore the different aspects of the topic. The groups
were moderated by specially trained facilitators to enable the art of deep
listening and mutual exploration of ideas.
Inner Transformation—Changing
Society
Secretary-General of The Club of Rome Carlos Álvarez Pereira delivering the keynote speech
During the hybrid event on October 9, SGI
Europe Co-chair Suzanne Pritchard, stressed that a human revolution fostering the
inner transformation of each individual can fundamentally change society and
the environment.
Carlos
Álvarez Pereira delivered the keynote address, underscoring Dr. Peccei’s vision
of hope. He stated that Dr. Peccei’s message was never one of pessimism, but
rather one of optimism, emphasizing the importance of an inquiring spirit to
overcome difficulties. Dr. Peccei also advocated for the transformative power
of human revolution as key to realizing a society where both self and community
thrive.
Academics and youth representatives then
participated in an intergenerational panel discussion that included personal
reflections and recitation of poems the participants find inspirational.
Shifting from the “Ego” to the “Eco,” from the “Me” to the “We”
The broader project, launched in August this year by The Club of Rome and the Soka Gakkai, aims to promote dialogue and explore the dynamic relationship between inner change and systemic change as means to address current global crises. In an August interview, The Club of Rome Co-President Sandrine Dixson-Declève noted:
“Both Aurelio Peccei and Daisaku Ikeda were humanists who understood complexity and the need for a human revolution and evolution towards a greater sense of humanity and humility. They both saw a desperate need to shift from the ‘ego’ to the ‘eco’ and from the ‘me’ to the ‘we’ through individual transformation and broader societal change.”
The
joint project will continue for a two-year period, featuring webinars, social
media outreach and discussions to sustain momentum and inspire ongoing action.
