“Seeds of Hope” exhibition, inspired by the Earth Charter and produced by SGI International, was presented in two events between March and May 2017: at the University of Ghana in Legon and in the Soka Cultural Association in Paris.
GHANA
Guest post By: Dolittle Kwaku Sintim-Aboagye – General Director, Soka Gakkai International Ghana
SGI Ghana conducted the “Seeds of Hope” exhibition at the University of Ghana, Legon on 18th and 19th March, 2017.
Delivering the welcome address at the opening ceremony, Nana Frema Boaitey-Azu of SGI-Ghana, introduced the exhibition as a joint initiative of Soka Gakkai International and Earth Charter International. She indicated that the exhibition uses the “Learn, Reflect and Empower” formula outlined in SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s 2002 proposal on education for sustainable development, which is a tool for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
His Excellency Tirso Dos Santos – Country Director of UNESCO- Ghana, Miss Afra Foli, representative from Earth Charter International, Professor Atukwei Okai, Secretary General of Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA) and Dahveed Nelson representative from African Hebrew Israelite of Jerusalem delivered Key note addresses.
Recognizing the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) as a key partner in managing the environment and ensuring sustainability, the Ghana Country Director of UNESCO pledged the support of UNESCO in working with SGI-Ghana to promote environmental and sustainable development. He concluded his address by calling on all members of the society to support the works of the SGI, in particular, the “Seeds of Hope” exhibition.
Miss Afra Foli expressed how proud she felt to be part of the target group which SGI was reaching out to. She mentioned that the Earth Charter International was concerned with moving to sustainable ways of living for sustainable human development. She finally encouraged all youth to have a “good look” at the “Seeds of Hope” exhibition, and further take to heart its core message of empowerment.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, Miss Afra Foli and the Country Director of UNESCO-Ghana cut the ribbon to formally open the exhibition to viewers who thronged the venue to view the displayed panels.
On display were 24 key panels depicting themes on inspiring, learning, reflecting and empowering individuals to take action for the protection and sustainability of their immediate environment. Another panel on the pollution of water bodies in Ghana was also displayed.
One of the panels featured Wangari Maathai, an Earth Charter Commissioner and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who took action at the local level promoting recovery of endangered species and ecosystems. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who was concerned about the receding rate of Kenya’s original forest, encouraged rural women to plant trees so they could improve the land through water retention, reduce soil erosion and earn a small income for their families.
All guests who viewed the panels were impressed as they could at least associate with one or more panels which had been a concern to them, and meant a lot to them. The exhibition logged a little over 3,000 viewers.
PARIS
In Paris, the “Seeds of Hope” exibition was launched in collaboration with Soka Gakkai International (Sgi), on 3 May. Guests including Dr. Jean Paul Durand as well as Ann and Julien along with 30 SGI members were participating at the opening to celebrate the launch! The exhibit will be open to the public from 9 May to 30 June in the Association Culturelle Soka De France in Paris. The exhibition highlights the potential of one person to change his environment to act for a better world.
Information: Exposition Seeds of Hope- 9 May- 30 June 2017
Where: ACSF, 42 BIS rue Sarrette, 75014 Paris, métro Alésia.
· Free Entrance
· Hours: Monday- Friday from 14h- 18h30
Saturdays 13 May, 20 May, 10 June, 17 June: from 10h-18h
Closed Sundays and Holidays
