AFRICA and MIDDLE EAST

The founder said that he is happy to see that countries that have been struggling, are now developing. With this belief, the founder has held numerous educational and cultural exchanges over many years with countries in Africa and the Middle East. They have become a bridge of friendship that transcends borders and cultural differences. He held many dialogues with intellectuals, including South African human rights fighter Nelson Mandela, Kenya's mother of the environmental movement, Wangari Maathai, and Jordan's Prince El Hassan bin Talal. The founder, who has been plowing ahead in his contribution to world peace, has received academic honors from eight universities in Africa and the Middle East.

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From a conferment speech

Francis J. Gichaga (Vice-chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Kenya)

"In a world full of political violence and turmoil, parochial nationalism, desperation and hatred, your endeavors, Dr. Ikeda, and those of the institutions you represent offer hope for peace. Peace as the ability, inherent in human life, to find creative resolutions for conflicts and to create value in life." (December 22, 1992)

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From an acknowledgement speech

In 1962, the year that the University of Jordan was founded, I traveled to the countries of the Middle East, to Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Egypt. At that time, I met with harsh criticism for my decision to visit the Middle East. But I was firmly convinced of the importance of forging solid bonds of friendship with the people of the Islamic world.
(July 22, 2004: Conferment ceremony for an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

 

1992　Honorary Doctorate of Social Science conferred by Ankara University

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Social Science by Ankara University, the most prestigious university in Turkey. The honorary diploma was handed by Rector Necdet Serin of the university in recognition of the Founder’s contributions for world peace, academic studies, and cultural exchange. Following the conferral ceremony, the Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled A New Silk Road from the Cradle of Civilization.
(June 24, 1992, Atatürk Centenary Auditorium Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey)

 

1992　Honorary Doctorate of Letters conferred by the University of Nairobi

The Founder was the first Asian man to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Vice-Chancellor, Francis John Gichaga of the university attended the conferral ceremony on behalf of Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, President of Kenya and Chancellor of the university, and commended the Founder’s philosophy and actions as “a great teacher who promotes world peace and harmony.”
(December 22, 1992, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

Exhibits

Proposals and essays contributed by the Founder

Various newspapers carrying the Founder’s proposals and essays
'The East African' a weekly newspaper read widely across East Africa
'Daily Graphic' a daily newspaper representative of Ghana
'The Spectator' a weekly newspaper read in the metropolitan area of Ghana

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During his first Journey for World Peace in October 1960, on meeting African representatives who were working at the U.N. headquarters in New York, the founder stated that the 21st century will be "the African Century." His unshakable belief that Africa should shine as the "continent of hope" drove him to promote educational and cultural exchanges.

 

2006　Dialogue with Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency

The Founder had a meeting with Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Director-General ElBaradei said “It is important that we come together in solidarity and act as members of the same humankind. That is how we can win peace and freedom.” An Honorary Doctorate of Soka University was awarded to him at the meeting. Director-General ElBaradei is a winner of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. (November 30, 2006, Seikyo Shimbun, Tokyo)

 

1991　Certificate of Appreciation in education, culture, and humanity conferred by 26 countries of the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo

Ambassadors of 19 African countries and the representative in Japan of the African National Congress together paid a courtesy visit to the Founder. On the occasion, a Certificate of Appreciation in education, culture, and humanity was conferred on the Founder to recognize his service to mankind through global peace-building and educational, cultural, and humanistic activities.
(November 29, 1991, Soka International Friendship Hall, Shibuya Tokyo)

 

1987　Dialogue with the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Doctor Wole Soyinka

The Founder had a dialogue with Dr. Wole Soyinka, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. During their meeting, the Founder extended his gratitude for having been awarded the first Kenya Oral Literature Award a year ago and expressed his conviction to make efforts for the development of Kenya and Africa.
(September 27, 1987, World Hall (Kobe Port Island Hall), Kobe, Hyogo)

 

1991　Conversing with anti-Apartheid campaigner and poet, Oswald Mtshali

The Founder had a conversation with anti-Apartheid campaigner and poet, Oswald Mtshali of South Africa. The two, Mr. Mtshali who led the anti-Apartheid movement armed with poems to liberate human beings and overcame imprisonment and the Founder, found their souls resonating in the conversation, toward the “century of human rights.” (May 28, 1991, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

1990　Dialogue with Nelson Mandela, an undauntable spirit for human liberation

The Founder and the youth welcomed Nelson Mandela, an anti-Apartheid movement leader of South Africa. During the meeting, the Founder presented a poem, “Jindo no hata seigi no michi (Flag of human rights, Path of justice)” dedicated to Mr. Mandela who never gave up the fight for human liberty and overcame imprisonment of 28 years.
(October 31, 1990, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

1992　Dialogue with President of the Republic of South Africa, Frederik Willem de Klerk

The Founder had a meeting with President of the Republic of South Africa, Frederik Willem de Klerk, who took on leadership in abolishing Apartheid. The two agreed that dialogue is the driving force for opening up a new era. They had a lively conversation about the possibilities of academic and cultural exchange and other themes. (June 4, 1992, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

1996　Honorary Doctorate of Laws conferred by the University of Ghana

The Founder was the first Japanese to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Ghana, one of the leading universities of Africa. President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings who was also the Chancellor of the university sent a message to commend the Founder’s contributions to education and human cooperation.
(August 29, 1996, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2002　Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by Kenyatta University

The Founder was the first foreigner to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Kenyatta University, the institution of intelligence that will lead the “century of Africa.” Upon receiving the honor, he cited the words “Elimu ni Nguvuc (education is power)” engraved in the logo of the university and emphasized that education is the integrating force toward world peace and that the source of the “century of life” lies where we sincerely learn the African philosophy of union and coexistence.
(May 18, 2002, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

1995　Honorary Doctorate of Education conferred by the University of the North

The Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Education by the University of the North, whose chancellor is Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa. The university is well known for having been an important base of the anti-Apartheid movement. Expressing his appreciation for the honor conferred from the “fortress of human rights,” the Founder said, “When we look to the future a hundred or two hundred years from now, there is no other vocation as sacred as education.”
(September 30, 1995, auditorium of the University of the North, Pietersburg, South Africa)

 

2005　Dialogue with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Doctor Wangari Maathai

The Founder had a meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr. Wangari Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement, an organization that had planted over 30 million trees in Africa. Dr. Maathai said that she wanted to “spread Mr. Ikeda’s values across Africa.” They had a lively dialogue discussing views about the planet’s environment in the 21st century.
(February 18, 2005, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

2004　Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters conferred by University of Jordan

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Japan, the Founder was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Jordan. His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, who is also the President of the Club of Rome, sent a congratulatory message to the conferral ceremony.
(July 22, 2004, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

Exhibits

Book written by Abdol Hossein Hamzavi

“The Prophetic Light” - Mr. Hamzavi, Ambassador of Iran to Japan referred to the Founder as “a great peace builder” in his book “The Prophetic Light” (published in 1977 by John Weatherhill, English and Japanese translations alongside the original text in Arabic). The Founder and Mr. Hamzavi had a dialogue in 1975.

 

Medal

A medal of Ankara University of Turkey

Ornament (ceramic)

An ornament presented to Soka University from the University of Nairobi of Kenya. The title of Honorary Professor of Letters was conferred on the Founder by the university (December 22, 1992).

 

School plaque

A plaque of University of Jordan

 

MOTTAINAITM

Nobel Peace Laureate Doctor Wangari Maathai visited Japan at the invitation of Mainichi Newspapers (February 14 – 22, 2005). “MOTTAINAITM” (Mainichi Newspapers) reported on her stay in Japan, including her meeting with the Founder. (on February 18).

 

Swahili version of “Seimi o kataru (Dialogue on life)”

A Swahili translation of the Founder’s book “Dialogue on life” (Ushio Publishing, 1973). The Swahili version was published by the University of Nairobi of Kenya in 1990.

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