I’m deeply inspired by Dr. Ikeda’s lifelong efforts to foster peace for our human family, and I believe all who learn of his work will be, too. Central to his mission for peace has been his conviction in the power of dialogue, engaging with leaders from every region to discuss ways to resolve international discord and challenges. And for decades, a core focus of his peace activities is the goal of total nuclear disarmament, sparking grassroots movements for a nuclear-weapons-free world.

Dr. Ikeda has also led the development of one of the world's largest and most diverse community-based Buddhist associations, Soka Gakkai International, promoting social engagement for peace in nearly every nation on Earth. The secular educational system that he founded—including Soka Schools systems in Japan and Brazil, Soka University in Japan and the USA, and Soka Kindergartens in six countries—promotes an ethos of global citizenship, encouraging youth to take the lead in establishing a more hopeful and positive direction for global society.