Bharat Soka Gakkai holds peace symposium in Ahmedabad

The Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the Indian affiliate of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a global organisation promoting peace, today held a symposium here.

Dignitaries, during the symposium, shared their views on this year's peace proposal, titled "Era of Human Rights: Building a People's Movement", submitted by SGI president Daisaku Ikeda to the United Nations on January 26.

Bharat Soka Gakkai chairperson Vishesh Gupta said that this was the 36th peace proposal submitted to the UN by Ikeda.

Ikeda, in the peace proposal, has urged the UN to focus on key issues such as climate change, rights of refugees and their children, women's equality as well as the rights of the elderly, Gupta told reporters ahead of the symposium.

"This is a proposal made for the entire world, keeping global issues in mind. We are giving a direction based on which a road map can be developed by each country depending on their situation" said Gupta.

Prominent speakers who shared their views with the audience during the event included Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad Director, Professor Errol D'Souza and Kartikeya Sarabhai, founder-director of the Centre for Environment Education.

The BSG's website claims that it is an organisation engaged in peace, culture and education activities based on the humanistic philosophy of Buddhism.

The website adds that the BSG is part of the larger Soka Gakkai International (SGI) network, a global organisation that seeks to promote the values of peace and respect for all people and comprises more than 12 million people in 192 countries.