What does dialogue has to do with ridding the world of nuclear weapons?
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
[2] Source: http://www.peoplesdecade.org/pdf/decade/efforts/100509.pdf
