Living Oceans
April 2010
Banner photo: Orange Anthias and Coral, Egypt [© David Doubilet]
News Briefs
SGI-South Africa Receives Gandhi Award
SGI-South Africa received an award from The Gandhi Remembrance Organization on January 31 in recognition of its contributions to the community. The award was presented at a ceremony at Tolstoy Farm, near Johannesburg, where Gandhi developed his nonviolence philosophy in the early 1900s. The event coincided with the scattering of the last remaining ashes of Gandhi off the coast of Durban.
Transforming the Human Spirit
SGI-Canada organized the exhibition "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" at Windsor Public Library in Windsor, Ontario, from January 26-28. The mayor of Windsor, Eddie Francis, sent his congratulations to a morning reception that preceded the exhibition showing.
Guam Celebrates SGI Day
Guam SGI members gathered in Tamuning on January 16 to mark the anniversary of the SGI's founding on the island 35 years ago on January 26, 1975. A monument commemorating the founding was unveiled in Tamuning Park. Guam Governor Felix P. Camacho declared January 2010 International World Peace Month and January 26 International World Peace Day.
Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
SGI-USA members participated in the Los Angeles Kingdom Day Parade in California on January 18, which commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Some 700 SGI youth from throughout Southern California took part, braving heavy rain. SGI-USA has participated in this parade for close to 20 years.
Recycling Trash for Groceries
Singapore Soka Association (SSA), together with other religious organizations, participated in the recycling project "Clean Up South West" on January 17. Started by Singapore's South West Community Development Council, the project aims to engage residents in a "trash for groceries" system. Items such as newspapers and clothing are redeemed for groceries, which are then distributed to low-income families and individuals.
Cultural Festival Held in Macau
SGI-Macau held a cultural festival at the Macao Polytechnic Institute on January 10. The festival, part of celebrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of Macau's return to China, included chorus and dance performances and was attended by various government representatives from the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Min-On Cosponsors Folk Dance Concert
The SGI-affiliated Min-On Concert Association cosponsored the 2009 Mekong-Japan folk dance concert, hosted by the Japan Asia Fine Arts Association, on December 10 at the Tokyo International Forum, Japan. Dance companies from Southeast Asia performed traditional court and folk dances. The event was attended by Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and ambassadors from eight countries.
"Seeds of Change" in Italy
SGI-Italy hosted the "Seeds of Change: The Earth Charter and Human Potential" sustainability exhibition in Carrara, Italy, from December 9-17. At the opening, a city council member spoke about the power of dialogue to resolve conflict. The exhibition highlights the potential one individual has to make a difference to global issues. Over 3,300 people attended.
