Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President Daisaku Ikeda says that what the world today needs is the kind of education that fosters love for humankind.
Leading educators came together on Friday, 11th February on the 30th anniversary of the Education Division of Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the Indian arm of SGI, to discuss how such humanistic education can be spread to relieve the world of suffering caused by the pandemic.
Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Shayama Chona, who is the Founder-President of Tamana Association which educates children and young adults with special needs, said: “I believe Education today needs to be transformed by empowering minds to discover their innate strengths to love to learn to laugh and live peacefully with tolerance for each other’s differences in an inclusive society”.
Other panelists urged that a concerted effort should be made to create a movement for humanistic education despite the disruption of regular classes in schools and colleges.
“Humanistic Education is a transformational process for every human being to move towards being human. I strongly believe that this is possible by imbibing and internalizing the 3C’s — Character, Compassion and Collaboration,” said Prof. RSS Mani who is Vice President, ITM Group of Institutions.
The movement for a new kind of education must go hand-in-hand with the common sense of ensuring adequate safety, said Ms Kavita Anand, Founder Director, Adhyayan Quality Education Services.
“As humans we experience deep joy when we are safe, welcomed and acknowledged. Let us make these a daily gift to every child,” said Ms Anand.
Ms. Vandana Jain, Head, BSG Education Division said, Humanistic education enables educators and students to manifest their highest potential and lead truly happy value-creating lives. It awakens us to the true purpose of education “to serve the people, remove suffering and protect humanity” as espoused by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
- Thanking the panelists for joining the webinar, BSG Chairperson Vishesh Gupta said, “What is required today is the kind of humanistic education that is not merely focused on accumulation of knowledge or development of ability. Rather it should enable each person to awaken to our interconnectedness and respect the infinite potential in each person’s life.”.
People from all walks of life and not just educationists and academicians attended the webinar from across the country.
The webinar was a culmination of the vision of Daisaku Ikeda who believes that a positive change in a single individual can transform the destiny of humankind towards an era of global peace. Inspired by Ikeda, BSG’s Education Division has been taking concrete steps towards creating resilience and capacity among youth through education, this webinar being one such initiative.
