P R E S S   R E L E A S E

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A prominent cultural and religious leader, philosopher, educator, author, photographer and poet, Dr Daisaku Ikeda has made distinguished and far-reaching contributions, widely recognized in the international arena.

In 1960, Dr Ikeda was inaugurated as the third President of Soka Gakkai, the largest organization of Buddhist lay believers in Japan.  Dr Ikeda has been President of Soka Gakkai International since 1975, and Honorary President of Soka Gakkai since 1979.

A staunch advocate of world peace and humanitarian ideals, Dr Ikeda has travelled widely and published extensively in an effort to promote peace and international understanding.  To this end, he has conducted dialogues with distinguished world leaders on international affairs, culture and education.  In recognition of his outstanding contributions in promoting peace among nations, he was awarded the United Nations Peace Award in 1983, and the Humanitarian Award of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1989.  Dr Ikeda is also an honorary citizen of more than 70 cities around the world and honorary professor in over 20 universities.  He is also recipient of over 40 honorary doctorates conferred by prominent institutions the world over.

Dr Ikeda has founded the Soka University, the Soka schools and other educational institutions, the Min-On Concert Association, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, and the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research, with an aim to promote education, cultural and artistic activities, and international exchange.  

With Dr Ikeda's wholehearted support, The Chinese University of Hong Kong was the first tertiary institution in Hong Kong to establish academic links with Soka University in 1975.  The two universities have since engaged in extensive academic exchanges.  The Chinese University invited Dr Ikeda to visit the University as Distinguished Visiting Professor in January 1992, where he delivered an address on humanism and shared his views on various topics with teachers and students of the University.