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Women for Peace
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A family involved in the "You Can Make THE Difference" project
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In January, members of Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) organized a Women's Peace Forum on the theme "A Sustainable Environment--You Can Make THE Difference" which was attended by about 3,500 people, including guests from various women's and children's organizations.
The forum was a follow-up to the SGM Women's Peace Convention held in October 2000, and it was typical of similar conferences being held by SGI women around the world who are striving to create a greater awareness of the culture of peace.
The SGM forum was inspired by the Earth Charter, which is based on the principles of respect for all life; ecological integrity; social and economic justice; and democracy, nonviolence and peace, and by the realization that each individual must take action to ensure a sustainable future for our world. Its purpose was to raise consciousness about the need to change our way of thinking about the environment and to call upon educators to serve as the driving force in this endeavor.
The forum included a video introducing various environmental projects initiated by SGM women involving recycling, the conservation of water and electricity, composting waste, collecting used batteries and growing greenery. It concluded with emphasis on how "You can make THE difference" by spreading the message of environmental awareness and taking positive action to help make the Earth a better place for all living beings.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century (BRC) joined with Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, to host the second of the "Women's Lecture Series on Human Values" on January 26. Featuring U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who attracted attention for her sole vote against the use of military force in response to September 11, 2001, the event drew 350 listeners, and Rosa Parks sent a message congratulating Congresswoman Lee for standing for what is right. The series honors pacifist and suffragist Jeanette Rankin, who is acclaimed for her dissenting votes against U.S. involvement in both world wars.
The Singapore Soka Association held its first Women's Peace Conference in December 2002. A total of 5,800 attendants shared experiences of challenges and victories in various aspects of their daily lives.
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