Kazakhstan and Soka Gakkai International are expanding cooperation to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and strengthen education across generations. Beginning with the signing of a memorandum in Tokyo, they will pursue practical cooperation through dialogue and education.
Soka Gakkai International (SGI), Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a UN mission have continued efforts to communicate the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons in accessible terms and deepen dialogue connecting governments and civil society. On 30 June, ICIID (International Center for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue) and SGI signed a memorandum in Tokyo, under which they will consider concrete measures for passing on memories and providing peace education for young people.
Past cooperation has focused on creating opportunities for dialogue beyond the boundaries of government and civil society, and on promoting international support for the abolition of nuclear weapons after the war. Following the Tokyo memorandum, efforts are expected to incorporate survivor testimony into educational settings and expand education programmes centred on interfaith dialogue.
Building on dialogue since 2018, SGI and Kazakhstan have emphasised the importance of confronting reality through visits to sites including Semey and former nuclear test sites. They are considering documenting jointly produced materials centred on the film “I want to Live on”, jointly developing educational materials and cultural exchanges, and expanding cooperation with international educational institutions.
Future discussions are expected to include strengthening peace education, particularly for young people, and new areas of cooperation such as climate change and AI ethics. Work may also advance on implementing the action plan presented at the 24th Secretaries-General Meeting in October and developing the concept for the Global Movement for Peace, with initial results targeted for 2027.