Peace Institutes Founded
Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue(formerly the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century)
Daisaku Ikeda founded the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century in 1993 as part of his vision to support the establishment of a global network of individuals developing cultures of peace through dialogue and scholarship. The center was renamed the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue in 2009 (in a wish to reflect its "long-standing values and objectives as well as [a] profound respect for Mr. Ikeda and his inclusive, humanistic vision"). In support of an evolving global ethic for a peaceful twenty-first century, the center has brought together scholars, activists and experts from diverse disciplines, cultures and religious traditions to discuss such issues as human rights, nonviolence, environmental ethics, economic justice, and women's leadership for peace. Such discussions and other projects have resulted in multi-author books that have been used in over 200 college and university courses. [www.ikedacenter.org]
Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research
Daisaku Ikeda founded the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research in honor of his mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, and his vision of safeguarding the peace of all humanity. The institute brings together peace researchers, policy makers and community activists in the promotion of conflict resolution and peace initiatives at local, national and regional levels. Its activities focus on the four main themes of Human Security and Global Governance, Human Rights and Global Ethics, Social Justice and Global Economy, and Cultural Identity and Global Citizenship. Iranian peace scholar Dr. Majid Tehranian, a former director of the University of Hawaii's Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace, was the institute's first director from 1996 to 2008. Dr. Olivier Urbain, a peace scholar from Belgium, was appointed the second director on April 2, 2008. On October 1, 2009, renowned peace scholar Kevin Clements was appointed Secretary General of the Toda Institute. Professor Clements, who also serves as secretary general of the International Peace Research Association, will lead the institute's research projects in the fields of conflict transformation, peacebuilding, human rights, sustainable development, United Nations reform and dialogue among civilizations. [www.toda.org]
Min-On Concert Association
Daisaku Ikeda founded the Min-On Concert Association to promote international cultural exchange and peace through music. As Ikeda has written: "Music speaks directly to the heart. This response, this echo within the heart, is proof that human hearts can transcend the barriers of time and space and nationality. Exchanges in the field of culture can play an important role in enabling people to overcome mistrust and prejudice and build peace."
Another mandate of Min-On--which is short for minshu ongaku, or "music for the people"--is to offer all people the opportunity to enjoy the world's finest music and performing arts at affordable prices. Perhaps the largest private, non-profit performing arts promoter of its kind in the world today, Min-On is supported by a membership of one million and has conducted exchanges with some 100 countries. Min-On also sponsors the Tokyo International Music Competition and organizes free concerts for schools.
The Min-On Culture Center in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, houses the Min-On Music Museum with a library containing over 120,000 LPs and CDs, 45,000 music scores and about 30,000 reference books. The museum also has on display a collection of antique pianos and music boxes, and folk instruments from around the world. [www.min-on.org]
Tokyo Fuji Art Museum
The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum is another initiative of Ikeda's, together with the Min-On Concert Association, to harness the power of culture for the promotion of peace. Originally established in Shizuoka and now based in Tokyo, the museum has a collection of some 30,000 artworks from various periods and cultures. The museum collaborates with museums around the world to host exhibitions both in Japan and abroad. In 1990, it received an official commendation from the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs. [www.fujibi.or.jp/en]
