Interfaith Symposium

Speaker:
Mr George Yeo
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Sunday, 16 March 2008
2:30 pm (for registration)
Singapore Expo Hall 4

Titled “Humanizing Religions, Creating Peace”, this event is an initiative of the Youth Division of Singapore Soka Association to raise the awareness of young people to the importance of promoting peace and harmony, and to encourage youth of religious organizations to be more proactive in interfaith relations and collaboration.

Minister George Yeo will officially open a Peace Exhibition; and thereafter deliver a Peace Lecture to an audience of some 3,000 people. In addition, Minister George Yeo will also launch a book featuring quotes for peace as viewed from different faiths.

Following this, representatives from the different religious organizations would present speeches on youth involvement. The event will conclude with cultural performances by the different organizations in the spirit of linking hearts through the arts. 

Click here to register 

Organized by Singapore Soka Association
A community and peace project of the SSA Youth Division

Youth for Peace Interfaith Symposium

Date: March 16, 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 3pm-5pm

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 4

(admission by ticket-please get the ticket from your leader or friend who invite you)

 Title: “Humanizing Religions, Creating Peace”

About the Symposium

Towards the significant 50^th Anniversary of March 16, the SSA Youth Division will be holding our First Youth for Peace Interfaith Symposium. This Symposium is themed after Sensei’s 2008 peace proposal “Humanizing Religions, Creating Peace” where we are gathering some 3,000 people from major faiths in Singapore to share on issues relating to peace. The Guest of Honour for this event is Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr George Yeo.

Besides having the Minister to present a peace lecture to the audience, there will also be the opening of the SGI exhibition “From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit” that is showing in Singapore for the first time. In addition, there will be a launch of the new book that features quotations from the various faiths on peace. 

 Let’s all treasure this opportunity and be proud to be part of this inaugural Youth for Peace Interfaith Symposium at this significant day of March 16, 2008 – 50^th Anniversary of Kosen-rufu Day! 

Yours faithfully,

Tay Hee Chiew

SSA Youth Chief Cum Organizing Chairperson

  More… 

There will be a peace exhibition on display at the Singapore EXPO Hall 4 on March 16 at the First Youth for Peace Interfaith Symposium and will be opened by Guest-of Honour Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo. Read on about it…

From A Culture of Violence to A Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit

About the Exhibition

This exhibition was created by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda’s declaration for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The exhibition is divided into five sections:

1) Ensuring Human Security, 2) Arms-Based Security Vs Human Security,

3) Changing Our Worldview, 4) Global Efforts For Peace and 5) SGI’s Commitment To Nuclear Abolition. The exhibition consists of 36 graphic panels —

with information on nuclear weapons, current anti-nuclear efforts around the globe and the anti-nuclear activities of SGI. Panels are in English.

 We must do something…

   To date, nuclear weapons are the most destructive tools of war.

   At any time, at the press of a button, nuclear weapons could wipe out life on earth.

 

   Our willingness to live comfortably while ignoring reality

   is the silent violence of apathy that could threaten the human race.

   On the other hand,

   assuming that this reality will continue unchanged into the future

   is a major human weakness.

   In an increasingly interdependent world, 

   we share responsibility for the security of all human beings.

   Our challenge is to rise above violence – to stop the rapid buildup of arms

   and forever ban the most fearsome weapons in history.

   Is it possible to transform the culture of violence

   into a culture of peace?

   We think it is possible.

   Becoming informed and sharing awareness

   is the first important step towards achieving this goal.

   Spreading a wareness will make a difference because knowledge empowers.