SGM Educators' Seminar 2011

On May 28 and 29, 2011, 156 educators from all over Malaysia gathered at Paradise Sandy Beach Resort, Penang for the 2011 Nation-wide Educators’ Seminar. As SGM General Director Choo Kong Fei noted in his message, this seminar was the first to be held in the northern region. In his speech, he urged all educators to return to the prime of faith – the oneness of mentor and disciple – burning with the passion of Soka education.

In a study session on the chapter "Light of Learning" of The New Human Revolution, Dr Chen Hui Cheng stressed the point brought up by President Ikeda that only education can change the times. She also highlighted that education transcends age and should be made available to all and called on the educators present to self-reflect on their choice of profession and return to their prime point of original commitment and ideals.

The study on President Ikeda’s 2002 proposal titled "The Challenge of Global Empowerment: Education for a Sustainable Future" enabled the participants to realise how SGI was instrumental in getting UNESCO to designate the period 2005 to 2014 as "The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development". Participants were encouraged to learn, reflect and empower themselves to take action to resolve the present global environmental crisis, living a contributive way of life.

The third study session was based on President Ikeda’s speech "The Future Division: The Hope-Filled Treasure of the World." Ms Lo Soo Li urged the educators to become role-models for the Future Division. She also pointed out that the purpose of education is to give children happiness and that teachers must first become happy individuals.

In her speech, Mdm Yeoh Joo Saik, the first SGM Educators Division Leader, quoted from the founder of Soka education, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, and pointed out that educators should be selfless besides being able to differentiate between right and wrong and take appropriate actions.

Concluding the seminar, SGM Educators Division Leader Assoc Prof Lee Kok Kheng hoped that the participants would fulfil President Ikeda’s expectations. He also urged them to carry out their human revolution, challenging their limitations and expanding their capacities. He reminded them that their victorious struggles as disciples are proofs of the mentor’s greatness.