About | This is Our Age

About us

Striving for a world where no one is left behind

This is Our Age stands as a formidable force propelling change while supporting the United Nations SDGs.

This initiative is led by SGI-UK, which is part of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), an organisation which exists to promote peace, culture and education through the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism.

SGI is a worldwide Buddhist organisation founded for the creation of value with more than 12 million members across the globe. SGI has been a non-governmental organisation in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1983.

History of SGI

The origins of Soka Gakkai trace back to 1930 in Japan, where two educators, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and his colleague Josei Toda, established an organisation committed to advancing educational reform.

During a period marked of militaristic nationalism in Japan, Makiguchi and Toda faced arrest and imprisonment in 1943, for their unwavering refusal to compromise their principles and endorse the wartime government. Makiguchi, the inaugural president of Soka Gakkai, passed away while in custody.

Following World War II, Toda became Soka Gakkai’s second president, reconstructing Soka Gakkai in Japan as a community-based Buddhist organisation. Toda aimed to eradicate global suffering through his vision of universal citizenship. His 1957 call for the elimination of nuclear arms laid the groundwork for Soka Gakkai’s peace initiatives.

In 1960, Daisaku Ikeda became the third president of Soka Gakkai, spearheading its expansion beyond Japan’s borders and worldwide. He fortified the organisation’s dedication to fostering peace, education, and culture, later becoming the president of Soka Gakkai International upon its founding in 1975.

From 1983 onwards, Ikeda authored annual peace proposals, totalling 40 to date, alongside issued statements. These initiatives address global challenges, aiming to cultivate a culture of peace worldwide.

Daisaku Ikeda

Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023) was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author and poet. He was the third president of Soka Gakkai and the founding president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI).

He dedicated his life to establishing the foundations for a lasting culture of peace through dialogue.

In Ikeda’s opinion, achieving global peace depends upon the self-initiated evolution within an individuals life, rather than solely relying on societal or structural changes.

“A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind.”

Daisaku Ikeda, 2004 – The Human Revolution, Volume 1

During his lifetime, Daisaku Ikeda authored or co-authored over 100 books. His wide body of works include dialogues, essays, peace proposals, university lectures, poetry, children’s literature and articles that discuss a range of topics driven by his aspiration for world peace.

View Daisaku Ikeda’s literary work here

Daisaku Ikeda is also the recipient of over 200 honorary degrees, as well as numerous international honours, including the United Nations Peace Medal (1983), the International Tolerance Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center (1993), the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award (2008), and the Gandhi International Peace Prize for Social Responsibility (2014).

Our Campaign

At the heart of our campaign, a range of events will take place towards January 26th 2025, the 50th anniversary of Soka Gakkai International’s founding, which will function to transform our future into one that is just, sustainable and prosperous.

These events will be centred around public engagement while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through the Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition (a joint initiative of Soka Gakkai International and Earth Charter International).

Our campaign is driven by our core values which support us to transform our world and support the SDGs.

Empowerment

Empowering individuals to act as protagonists for change.

Action

Taking powerful steps towards change within each of our lives.

Inspiration

Inspiring the next generation to build a sustainable and just society.

Equality

Working together to create a global society where no one is left behind.

This is Our Age Peace Festival

An event co-hosted by the University of Warwick and SGI-UK at the Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday 8th September from 10am to 4pm. The “This is our Age” Peace Festival included:

This is Our Age Peace Festival

An event co-hosted by the University of Warwick and SGI-UK at the Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday 8th September from 10am to 4pm. The “This is our Age” Peace Festival included: