Dr. Tetsuko Watanabe, a faculty member of IRISE, gave lectures at the University of Nairobi and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MMUST) in Kenya

An international symposium jointly organized by the Department of Literature of the University of Nairobi in Kenya, and Soka University's Nairobi Office was held at the University of Nairobi on 30th and 31st October 2024, bringing together about 100 researchers, faculties, and students, including online participants from Germany, the US, Sudan, and Sri Lanka. The theme of the symposium was ‘The Role of Literature for Promoting Peace’, in which the students from the University of Nairobi performed a poem composed by the Founder of Soka University, Daisaku Ikeda.

IRISE’s faculty member, Dr. Tetsuko Watanabe delivered a keynote speech at the symposium, entitled ‘George G. Byron and the Nature of Critique: Promoting Peace and Humanity’. Through the works and life of the British Romantic poet, George G. Byron, Dr. Watanabe introduced the essence of critique, which distinguishes between ‘understanding’ and ‘sympathy’ and strives to understand the expressions and arguments of others, even if it is not simple to empathize with them. She also introduced the history of friendship exchanges between Soka University and Africa, which was developed by Mr. Ikeda. As a discussant of Dr. Watanabe's keynote, Professor Emeritus Henry Indangasi of the University of Nairobi referred to the visionary nature of Ikeda’s indication that ‘the 21st century will be the century of Africa’. A lively question and answer session followed the keynote, and participants learned from each other about the significance of Mr. Ikeda's expectations for the African continent.

On 1st November, there was a courtesy call to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology(MMUST), which is located in the Kisumu region adjacent to Lake Victoria in Kenya. Masinde Muliro University is introducing ‘value-creating education’ in its doctoral program. At a meeting with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Charles Mutai, Dr Watanabe gave a presentation under the theme of ‘Soka (value-creating) Education Around the Globe’ where she discussed the history of Soka's value-creating education tracing back to the publication of The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy, Soka Schools System around the world, and the academic development of Soka education. This was followed by a lively discussion with a more detailed explanation of Soka education, together with the dean of the graduate school, researchers, and doctoral students of the university. The participants asked a series of sincere questions to better understand the philosophy of Soka education and its practice at Soka University and Soka Schools. The visit was fruitful for future educational exchanges based on ‘value-creating education’ between the two universities.