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| March 6, 2005 |
| Soka Gakkai Farmers in Fukushima Hold Experience Rally |
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| "Agricultural Renaissance Rally" in Otama Village, Fukushima Prefecture |
On March 5, members of the Soka Gakkai Agriculture Division in Fukushima Prefecture held an "Agricultural Renaissance Rally" at the Agriculture and Environment Improvement Center in Otama Village, Fukushima Prefecture. Local farmer Masahiro Takeda told how he contributed to agriculture in his local community with an awareness that losing sight of farming is akin to losing sight of his own roots. Misao and Norie Yanagida, dairy farmers from Koriyama City, reported on receiving an award of excellence for the milk produced by their dairy cows. Yoshihiko Watabe of Kawahigashi Town reported on a new strain of rice he is challenging to cultivate. One guest praised the rally saying that the experience rally was valuable for providing ideas essential for inspiring a renaissance of hope, in the severe circumstances farmers face today.
Prior to the rally, participants viewed the 7th "Nature and Humans" photography exhibition, at the same venue.
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| 250 SGI Members from 160 Countries Exchange with Japanese Members in Tokyo |
On the evening of March 5, 250 SGI members from 160 countries and regions visited 12 centers in west Tokyo and met with local Japanese members. Representatives of France, Belgium, Switzerland, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Madagascar, Benin and the Republic of Congo received a warm welcome from local members at the Fuchu Culture Center in Fuchu City. SGI-Côte d'Ivoire General Director Andre Deazon compared the SGI to a tree, and said the Japanese members, who pioneered Soka Gakkai, were the roots, while the constituent SGI organizations worldwide are the branches and leaves of the tree. Asking the Japanese members to do their best in their "garden," Mr. Deazon promised that he would do his best for the sake of peace and happiness of Africa.
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| Japanese and SGI members from French-speaking countries engage in warm exchanges |
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| SGI-New Zealand Celebrate Chinese New Year with Local Residents |
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| SGI-New Zealand celebrates Lunar New Year with local residents |
On February 13, SGI-New Zealand members celebrated Lunar (Chinese) New Year at the SGI-New Zealand Culture Center. Some 700 local residents attended, together with Fiona Yuen, Justice of the Peace in Auckland and president of the New Zealand Guangdong Association Inc. SGI-New Zealand General Director Jimi Wallace introduced the SGI's efforts to engage in worldwide cultural exchanges for the sake of contributing to intercultural understanding and world peace. The members presented ethnic songs and dances.
On February 20, newly formed South Heartland Chapter held a kick off in Christchurch.
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