EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
In an effort to implement Soka Gakkai founder, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s philosophy of Soka, or “Value Creating” education, Dr. Ikeda has founded, schools and educational institutions worldwide, giving concrete expression to his conviction that education is humanity’s most important undertaking.
Soka Education is based on a belief in the infinite potential of the individual. Rooted in a profound respect for human life, it seeks to nurture courageous people of wisdom, who can contribute to the realization of a peaceful world. Soka School System has been established in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil. Soka Universities were established in Japan in 1971 and in USA in 1987, with the objective of fostering global citizens.
BSG collaborates with MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai to form an SDG Club in the College
Bharat Soka Gakkai has collaborated with MOP Vaishnav College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai to launch an SDG Club in the college on 18th October 2022.
As part of its ‘BSG for SDG’ initiative, BSG has endeavoured to set up SDG Clubs in different institutions, as a platform for students in the institutions to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) together, formulate solutions to contribute to the SDGs on a daily basis through ‘Sustainable Human Behaviour’, thereby creating a culture of sustainability.
BSG collaborates with The HDFC School, Pune to launch an SDG Club in the School
Bharat Soka Gakkai has collaborated with the HDFC School, Pune to launch an SDG Club in the school. The SDG Club was launched on 25th August 2022.
As part of its ‘BSG for SDG’ initiative, BSG has endeavoured to set up SDG Clubs in different institutions, as a platform for students in the institutions to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) together, formulate solutions to contribute to the SDGs on a daily basis through ‘Sustainable Human Behaviour’, thereby creating a culture of sustainability.
Webinar titled ‘Creating a Century of Peace by Raising Global Citizens through Humanistic Education’
A webinar titled ‘Creating a Century of Peace by Raising Global Citizens through Humanistic Education’ was held on Friday, 11th February 2022 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of formation of BSG Education Division in 1992 and to strengthen the role of Humanistic Education in the 21st Century.
‘Seeds Of Hope & Action’ (SOHA) Held In Nahar International School, Mumbai
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on 11th February 2022 at Nahar International School, Mumbai. Around 100 students and teachers viewed the exhibition.
The purpose of the exhibition was to raise awareness and educate the youth about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. The exhibition is divided into 5 sections namely – Inspire, Learn, Reflect, Empower, Act and Lead – a formula developed by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
This SOHA exhibition introduced a pragmatic vision for sustainable living so that we can contribute to the realization of the SDGs. Effective communication of these concepts and how they are the key to furthering humanity’s efforts to fulfill the SDGs was aided by several real-life stories of individuals who strived to bring about a positive change in response to the social situations they found themselves in.
The students presented their own interpretations of the exhibition panels and its reception by those in attendance demonstrated the hours of preparation they put in as well as the ideas they brainstormed.
Principal, Ms. Vandana Arora, thanks BSG for organizing the exhibition and encouraged the students to contribute to realizing the SDGs.
‘Seeds of Hope & Action’ (SOHA) Held In Montfort School, New Delhi
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on 8th and 11th October 2021 at Montfort School, New Delhi
The exhibition is a joint initiative of the SGI and the Earth Charter International and it introduces a positive vision for sustainable living that can contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The online exhibition was viewed by around 200 students on both days. A training session was organized by BSG for the school students about the various aspects of the exhibition. The students in turn enthusiastically leaned and further explained every panel to the viewers who included their fellow students and teachers.
The viewing of the panels was followed by screening of the film “A Quiet Revolution”. The screening was followed by a ‘quiz’ in which the students were asked questions based on the film. The quiz had an enthusiastic response from the students.
The exhibition concluded with an ‘interaction session’ in which students asked questions on how they can contribute to the SDGs.
Bro. Thampy Alex, Principal, Montfort School and many teachers also joined the students in viewing the exhibition.
Ms. Renu Singla, School Counsellor, Montfort School, thanked BSG for organizing the exhibition and said that this strengthened the long-standing relationship between BSG and Montfort school.
Virtual Exhibition Titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA) held In HDFC School, Pune
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on 26th and 28th August 2021 for the students of HDFC School, Pune.
The exhibition is a joint initiative of the SGI and the Earth Charter International and it introduces a positive vision for sustainable living that can contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The virtual exhibition was viewed by around 400 students. A group of 10 students presented the panels to their fellow students with great enthusiasm. The students added lot of additional information to the panels and made their presentation very rich and informative. The participating students also showed their zeal and enthusiasm to work for sustainability. They also shared their thoughts and ideas on initiatives that can be taken at grassroots level towards sustainability.
The viewing of the panels was followed by screening of the film “A Quiet Revolution” and ended with a lively ‘interaction session’.
The principal of the school Dr. Amruta Prabhu thanked BSG for organizing this exhibition. She appreciated BSG’s efforts in nurturing young minds with inspiring thoughts and looked forward to similar sessions in the future.
Virtual Exhibition Titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA) held In GD Goenka World School, Gurgaon
Virtual Exhibition Titled ‘SEEDS OF HOPE & ACTION (SOHA) Held In GD Goenka World School, Gurgaon
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on 14th and 16th July 2021 for the middle school students of GD Goenka World School, Gurgaon
The exhibition is a joint initiative of the SGI and the Earth Charter International and it introduces a positive vision for sustainable living that can contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The virtual exhibition was viewed by around 200 students on both days. A group of 11 students presented the panels to their fellow students with great enthusiasm. The students presented participated in the discussion with zeal and showed their passion to work for sustainability. They also shared their thoughts and ideas on initiatives that can be taken at grassroots level towards sustainability.
The viewing of the panels was followed by screening of the film “A Quiet Revolution” and ended with a lively ‘interaction session’.
The principal of the school Dr. Neeta Bali thanked BSG for organizing this exhibition in the school. Dr Bali said that young minds need to be nurtured with inspiring thoughts and appreciated BSG efforts in doing so.
Virtual Exhibition Titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA) held In New ERA Public School, New Delhi
Virtual Exhibition Titled ‘SEEDS OF HOPE & ACTION (SOHA) Held In New Era Public School, New Delhi
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on 13th and 15th July 2021 for the students of class 8/9/10 of New Era Public School, New Delhi
The exhibition stresses our interconnectedness with the rest of the community of life and the need to broaden our sphere of compassion. It encourages viewers to overcome feelings of powerlessness and highlights the fact that a single individual can initiate positive change.
The virtual exhibition was viewed by around 700 students and teachers on both days. A group of ‘Peer Mentors’ took the lead and explained the exhibition panels in detail. At the end of the presentation, students shared their views and asked many questions which reflected their earnestness in finding solutions for the global issues.
On 15th July 2021, the second day of the exhibition, screening of the film “A Quiet Revolution” was held which was and ended with a buoyant ‘interaction session’.
The students and the school authorities thanked BSG for this initiative and expressed their desire for similar session in the future.
Virtual Exhibition titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA) held for Little Angels School, Sonipat
Virtual Exhibition titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ held on April 12th and 13th 2021.
The Exhibition ‘Seeds of Hope & Action (SOHA): Making the SDGs a Reality’ was held on April 12th and 13th 2021 for the students of Little Angels School, Sonipat
The exhibition is a joint initiative of the SGI and the Earth Charter International and it introduces a positive vision for sustainable living that can contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The virtual exhibition was viewed by over 100 students on both days. The students participated in the discussion with zeal and showed their passion to work for sustainability. They also shared their thoughts and ideas on initiatives that can be taken at grassroots level towards sustainability.
The viewing of the panels was followed by screening of the film “A Quiet Revolution” and ended with a lively ‘interaction session’.
The School authorities and the students expressed their gratitude to BSG for organizing the exhibition in their school.
Seeds of hope exhibition held in conjunction with XUB Sustainability Summit – 2016
The Sustainability Summit is an annual event organized by the Xavier School of Sustainability (XUB). This year, the 2nd annual XUB Sustainability Summit – 2016 was held at XIMB campus and XUB Xavier City Jatni campus, during August 11-13, 2016. The theme of this year’s summit was Energy, Peace and Global Governance.
With 156 speakers and delegates, the 2nd Annual XSoS Sustainability Summit 2016 was inaugurated on 12th August, 2016, at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. His Excellency Dr. S. C. Jamir, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, inaugurated the summit and presided over the event as the Chief Guest. The other distinguished personalities who graced the occasion were Shri. Upendra Tripathy, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, Mr. Anup Sahay, Chief, Corporate Strategy & Planning, Tata Steel, Mr. P S Narayan, VP & Head, Sustainability, WIPRO and Ms. YumiBae, Chief, Field Office, UNICEF, Bhubaneswar.
Building a Culture of Peace for the children of the world exhibition
Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) organized the exhibition, ‘Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World’ in collaboration with the Green Field School, Safdarjung Enclave, at latter’s premises on August 5-6, 2016.
The exhibition that has been shown in many countries over several years, has impactful panels such as ‘The United Nations and the Culture of Peace’, ‘Paths to Peace’, ‘Community’, ‘Disarmament’, ‘Heroes of Peace’, and many more. It brings together the ideas of thousands of people and organizations dedicated to finding a path to lasting peace in daily life.
“Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace” Exhibition
ASN School in Mayur Vihar-I, New Delhi hosted the Gandhi, King, Ikeda: Building a Legacy of Peace exhibition in association with Bharat Soka Gakkai, from 21-23 April, 2016. This is an international exhibition put together by the Morehouse College, USA.
Indian freedom fighter Mohandas K. Gandhi, American civil rights advocate Martin Luther King Jr., and Buddhist philosopher, educator and author Daisaku Ikeda — three men from three different cultures and continents, have followed a common path of profound dedication and achievement in improving the lives of all people. The exhibition conveys the ideals and principles that these giants of the 20th century, lived by and propagated.
Workshop on ‘Another Way of Seeing Things’
On the morning of 23 February 2016, Himalaya Public Senior Secondary School became the venue for an interactive workshop on ‘Another Way of Seeing Things’. In an initiative to introduce and inculcate in students the importance of perspective, the power of choice, and positive values to lead a contributive life, the workshop was led by representatives from the Education Division of BSG.
Encouraging children in MCD schools to read
In collaboration with National Book Trust (NBT), BSG’s Education Division organised a seminar on storytelling, to rekindle a love for books and to reintroduce this traditional, warm, person-to-person method of imparting knowledge. Together with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), BSG has initiated a library project to create a love for reading among children in MCD schools. Under this project, BSG has set up 144 ‘classroom libraries’ in 10 MCD schools, for classes I to 5.
Picture Books Catalogue
In 2001, BSG’s Education Division compiled a unique catalogue of more than 1,000 picture books for children in 20 Indian languages, titled Picture Books in Indian Languages—A Catalogue, and provided it to schools and libraries nationwide.
For street children and slum children
BSG’s most significant contributions have been in reaching out to the vulnerable and the marginalised. The Youth Peace Committee, in association with the NGOs Disha and Butterflies, took the initiative to improve the lives of street children and slum children. BSG members have also acted as scribes for blind children.
