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SGI's Efforts
Antinuclear Exhibition Shows at Urania, Berlin, Germany
Viewing the THS exhibition
The exhibition "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" (THS), which highlights the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and calls for a move from arms-based security to human security, was shown at Berlin's Urania conference venue from October 7 to 16.
Co-organizers of this first showing in Germany were the Global Cooperation Council (GCC), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Germany (IPPNW-Germany) and SGI. The 36-panel exhibition has now been shown in 28 countries, and in eight languages.
SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda speaking at the opening ceremony
Speakers at the opening ceremony on October 7 included SGI Vice President Hiromasa Ikeda, who read a message from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, and Prof. Dr. Hideto Sotobayashi, a survivor of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and former professor at the Max-Planck Institute. Ms. Xanthe Hall of IPPNW-Germany also spoke, along with Mr. Ramesh Jaura, Chair of the Global Cooperation Council.
In his remarks, Mr. Jaura emphasized that GCC and SGI have both stressed the importance of human security which is essential for promoting culture and peace.
In addition, two public lectures were held at Urania's Kleist Hall in association with the exhibition. On October 8, Prof. Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsaecker, founder of the Wuppertal Institute, spoke on "Peacemaking: A European-Asian Alliance." He stressed that at a time when national interest is often an obstacle to concerted efforts to solve environmental problems, Europe and Asia should unite to play a new role in leading the world closer to global cooperation.
Mr. Ramesh Jaura, Chair of the Global Cooperation Council
On October 14, Professor Horst-Eberhard Richter of IPPNW-Germany spoke on the nuclear threat and human nature. He stated that a fundamental attitude of disrespect is causing great damage to both society and individuals, and agreed with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda that each individual has the responsibility to take action toward creating peace.
Along with the exhibition, a film of first-person testimonies by women who were victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was continuously shown.
[Adapted from a report from SGI-OPI and an article in the October 17, 2011, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan; photos courtesy of SGI-OPI]
