#newclearfuture

by Clara A. Reyes,

Pennsylvania Zone New Clear Future Correspondent

As the Student Division of Pennsylvania Zone continues to prepare the debut of the antinuclear exhibition titled, From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit exhibit at Temple University in July, many dialogues are being held in our community center.

On June 24th, 19 Youth Division members studied and discussed SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s 2012 Peace Proposal titled “Human Security and Sustainability: Sharing Reverence for the Dignity of Life.”  In his proposal, President Ikeda covers twelve major points, four of which were discussed: human security, a focus on empowerment, a clear future vision and a shared vow (Ikeda, 2012). In the synopsis of the proposal, President Ikeda states: “Three aspects of this text (“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”) are especially relevant;…the philosophical stance that the highest priority of the state be the well-being and security of ordinary people; a call for the establishment of a worldview rooted in a vital sense of our interconnectedness; and the insight that the greatest empowerment is realized when, through dialogue, we advance from a shared concern to a shared actions oriented pledge or vow” (Ikeda, 5).

The PA Zone Student Division wanted to answer a specific question: Why is the philosophy of humanism important in the discussion of nuclear weapons? All of the youth present offered very direct and sincere opinions in the dialogue. One Young Men’s Division member started the conversation by saying that humanism means seeing everyone as valuable and “if everyone is valuable there is no need for nuclear weapons.” Mia Harvey, our PA Zone YWD Student Division leader stated: “Giving up nuclear weapons will not instill fear in the people. It will do the opposite.” One Young Women’s Division member named Genieve noted that nuclear weapons seem to be “elusive” since there is a lack of discussion about them, and because of that it seems “impossible to tackle the issue.” However, the discussion facilitator and YMD Area Leader Eddie Chang pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Student Division and Youth Division to have dialogue, explaining that if we did not we will continue to live in a nightmare.

Recently, the SGI-USA Student Division has taken several “cyber steps” toward 2015 and building consensus for a world without nuclear weapons. This dialogue was recorded on Crowdmap, an online tool to track dialogue around the world. To follow the movements dialogue, go to: http://newclearfuture.crowdmap.com. In addition, you can find further information on Facebook by liking our page “Our New Clear Future” and following us on Twitter by searching @anewclearfuture and hashtagging #newclearfuture. 

by David Reker,

North Zone New Clear Future Correspondent

More than just percentages, surveys demonstrate the disparities and spaces of growth. The SGI, in Japan and other countries, continually makes tremendous efforts in gauging the populace of nuclear weapons stockpiling and usage. Recently, in February 2012, the Soka Gakkai in Japan collected information on the issue. One of the most astounding results is that 82% of respondents answered, “…they thought hearing personal accounts of war or of the effects of an atomic bomb detonation might change people’s attitudes toward nuclear weapons.” [1]

In another SGI survey, conducted in 2010, illustrated that despite 72% of respondents     do not agree with the use of nuclear weapons, 72% answered that they also would like to engage in peace activities, but do not have an idea what they can do. [2] Though these numbers have to be carefully interpreted as not a one-to-one correlation between disagreeing with nuclear weapons and not having an idea of what concrete actions to take, these figures show that while the morals and ethics of nuclear weapons are more commonly shared, the greater challenge is empowering others to take action for nuclear disarmament.

In order to accomplish President Ikeda’s mission of nuclear abolition in 2030, the dialogues we conduct have to be equally about educating people in one-on-one dialogue, but also empowering individuals to stand. As we conduct our dialogues with fervor, it is equally important that no one feels disenfranchised. Indeed, as the Student Division members now are quickly realizing, the effort of nuclear abolition requires the inclusion of everyone who wants to see the world liberated from the chains of nuclear weapons. One of the greatest tools we still have now, in this generation, is that of survivors willing to share their stories. As more surveys will surely be conducted, it is important not to lose sight of our efforts to accomplish our goals, in life and in our activities. In the case of this New Clear Future movement, dialogue is the key to empowering individuals who want to remove nuclear weapons from the world, and to engage others who may believe otherwise.

[1] Source: http://www.sgi.org/news/peace/peace2012/survey-youth-awareness-peace-nuclear-weapons.html