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SGI News: Global activities for peace, education and culture

Celebrating Earth Day

photo The opening of "Seeds of Change" at the Tlaxcala Memorial Museum, Mexico

In April, in celebration of Earth Day, SGI organizations in the U.S.A., Paraguay, Mexico, Singapore and Iceland hosted public showings of "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential," the environmental exhibition about taking action for change which was jointly created by the SGI and the Earth Charter Initiative.

In Las Vegas the exhibition was at the center of festivities at the SGI's community center commemorating the city's April 19 Earth Charter Day. Over 300 local SGI-USA members and visitors attended. A slide show presentation and discussion concerning the film An Inconvenient Truth was another popular attraction, and the environmental documentary The 11th Hour was also screened throughout the day.

"What Can I Do" exhibits focusing on caring for the environment adorned the community center, and elementary school children presented performances, artwork and poetry on environmental themes.

The event was augmented by screenings of A Quiet Revolution, the documentary film that demonstrates the power of individuals to make a positive impact on global issues.

At SGI-USA discussion meetings in the region, youth showed the film and led dialogue sessions on how people could "think globally and act locally," for example, in response to critical local concerns such as the need to practice water conservation.

photo Children and "Golden Stage" SGI-USA members working on resource recycling projects during the Earth Day celebrations in Las Vegas  [Audrey Dempsey]

In Lawrence, Kansas, the exhibition was on display at the Lawrence Arts Center from April 17-24. A series of presentations by community groups concerned about the environment were held in a nearby park, and the local SGI-USA group read from the Earth Charter and performed a song about spring.

The Iceland showing on April 25 and 26 was held as part of a larger environmental exhibition in Perlan, one of Reykjavík's best-known buildings, constructed on top of four massive water storage tanks which hold the city's naturally heated water supply. It was attended by Minister for the Environment Torunn Sveinbjarnardóttir and former president of Iceland Vigd¡s Finnbogadóttir.

In Paraguay, Pilar University in Pilar city hosted the exhibition from March 31 to April 4. Cecilia Aguilera, dean of Humanities and Education, commented, "This exhibition really teaches students that a transformation in a single individual is the key to sustainable development."

"Seeds of Change" has also been touring cities in Mexico. From April 22-27, it was shown at the Memorial Museum in Tlaxcala city, with the support of Mexico's Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Tlazcalteca Institute of Culture in celebration of Earth Day, April 22.

In Singapore the exhibition was part of a series of events organized by the National Parks Board (NPB) to commemorate Earth Day at the Pasir Ris Park.

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