In The Power of Hope: Thoughts on Peace and Human Rights in the Third Millennium, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, an Argentine human rights activist, writer, painter and sculptor, and Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhist philosopher and peace activist, reflect on the experiences, values and convictions that shaped their lifelong commitment to peace, human rights and social justice. Pérez Esquivel—recipient of the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize—played a vital role in resisting military dictatorship and was arrested and tortured for his activism.
The book opens with separate forewords in which Ikeda and Pérez Esquivel express their admiration for one another. Pérez Esquivel hails Ikeda as an “architect of conscience,” while Ikeda celebrates him as a “champion of the people,” cherishing their candid discussions as some of “the most enjoyable” he has ever experienced.
Throughout their dialogue, Ikeda and Pérez Esquivel reflect on how personal hardship shaped their lifelong commitment to peace and human rights. Their conversation touches on Pérez Esquivel’s childhood in poverty and the hardships faced by Ikeda’s family after his father fell ill. Ikeda recalls that his mother’s grief following the death of his eldest brother in World War II became the starting point for his lifelong commitment to peace, prompting Pérez Esquivel to observe that Ikeda’s compassion for his mother—and mothers everywhere—lies at the heart of Ikeda's actions for peace.
The dialogue also explores how both men's experiences of persecution strengthened their convictions. Pérez Esquivel recounts his imprisonment during Argentina’s military dictatorship and the wider repression across Latin America. Ikeda reflects on his own imprisonment on false charges, remarking that “the inherent violence of authority is starkly revealed in prison.” Ikeda also praises Pérez Esquivel’s decision to dedicate his life to those less fortunate, observing that Pérez Esquivel, an artist, and his wife, a musician, could have chosen a life devoted solely to their crafts. Instead, they embraced the turbulent path of defending human rights.
Beyond these central discussions, Ikeda and Pérez Esquivel also reflect on the role of women in peace movements, the legacy of nonviolence, the importance of faith and prayer in fostering resilience, learning from diverse cultural traditions, the transformative power of literature and respect for the natural world. They discuss the contributions of remarkable women such as Rosa Parks and Betty Williams, whose peaceful resistance continues to inspire people around the world.
Both men translated their ideals into lasting institutions. Pérez Esquivel founded Servicio Paz y Justicia (SERPAJ), a nonviolent, Christian-based organization committed to defending human rights across Latin America, while Ikeda developed the Soka education system and established cultural institutions, including the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum and the Min-On Concert Association, to promote peace, culture and intellectual exchange. Their shared belief that lasting change depends on turning ideals into action is reflected in the following exchange.
Ikeda states:
“The arrogant established powers seek to divide the people. To oppose that, we must unite in the cause of justice and human rights. People's movements also need to be aware of the error of focusing solely on their own immediate situation. Only a movement based on an awareness of broader human rights and interests can bring fundamental changes to society.”
Pérez Esquivel agrees:
“That’s what it’s all about. In fact, there are times when the social movements in Latin America reveal their weakness. Though they may be successful in rallying the people, they fail to realize concrete political actions to effect the changes desired by the people.”
The English edition of the book also includes the full text of Pérez Esquivel and Ikeda’s June 2018 joint appeal, “To the Youth of the World: An Appeal for Resilience and Hope,“ calling for a new world built on justice and solidarity. The appeal underscores the dialogue’s message, encouraging young people to build a more just and compassionate society through hope, resilience and collective action.
Foreword by Daisaku Ikeda
Foreword by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel
A Joint Appeal by Adolfo Pérez Esquivel and Daisaku Ikeda
- The Struggle for Human Rights—A Story of Glorious Triumph
- A World United by the Power of the People
- Transmitting the Legacy of Nonviolence
- Women: The Driving Force of a Century of Life
- Youth—The Key to Building a Culture of Peace
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