The grand opening ceremony of the “Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition” a joint initiative of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and Earth Charter International, was held on September 5th at the Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong Culture Center Ikeda Auditorium. This exhibition is supported by UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the Polar Museum Foundation.

Officiating guests include: Acting Commissioner for Climate Change in the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dorothy Ma Chow Pui Fun; Lead of SDG Campus of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development representing UNESCO Hong Kong Association, Andy Fung; Secretary General of Guangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Yao Jian Jian; Founder of the Polar Museum Foundation, Rebecca Lee Lok Sze; Advisor of the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Director and Founder of Lang Qing Charity Mabel Mak Lok Sheung; Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Athena Wan Wing Sze; Director and President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Hsu Hoi Shan; Vice President of Bauhinia Magazine Yuan Jian; General Director of the Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong (HKSGI), Ng Chor Yuk; and the Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition Committee Chief, Tang Wai Kit.

This exhibition serves as an educational tool to promote and realize UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is held in over 16 countries and territories and has received enthusiastic responses. The content is updated from the “Seeds of Hope” Exhibition to include climate change challenges and SDGs, and six examples of ordinary people taking action as an agent of positive change. The exhibition’s four pillars “learn, reflect, empower, and act & lead” are inspired from SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s 2012 Environment Proposal offering suggestions for the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development. He stresses the interconnectedness of human and the natural environment, and our need to take care and safeguard the environment.  He encourages all people to overcome the feelings of powerlessness and stresses that each person can become an agent of change to contribute for the realization of the SDGs.

The Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition Committee Chief, Tang Wai Kit shared in his welcoming speech, “This exhibition was put together with the youth at its center. There are 130 youths as ambassadors of action. They take the lead in preparing, studying, and taking actions as an agent of change. As exhibition tour guides, they explain the significance of the exhibition’s contents and display the passion and energy of the youth of the Soka Gakkai. Through this exhibition, we aim to plant a ‘seed of hope’ in the hearts of visitors that will sprout into tangible action and resulting to a brighter future.”

Founder of the Polar Museum Foundation, Rebecca Lee Lok Sze, shared her impression, “When I witnessed the wide scale environmental destruction of the Earth’s poles that used to be so pure, I would feel very unhappy. This Seeds of Hope and Action Exhibition, spearheaded by the youths and put together by our joint efforts, is being held at the right time. For it can deepen our understanding of the SDGs and show us what we all ought to learn. I believe it is imperative that it is promoted to all schools in Hong Kong.”  

HKSGI General Director Ng Chor Yuk shared, “our esteemed SGI President Ikeda has called for the support of the United Nations since the 1960s. Under his leadership, the SGI initiated activities in supporting UN’s goals and visions with the common people. The SGI fully supports SDGs set forth by UN. Inheriting the spirit of Mr. Ikeda’s actions, the SGI strives to elevate the people’s awareness toward realizing SDGs. The key message is to struggle for the actualization of ‘a world of sustainable development, no one must be left behind.’”

After the opening ceremony, participants and guests received a tour from the ambassadors of action and briefed the exhibition. After which, Advisor of the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Mabel Mak Lok Sheung, delivered speech titled “Dual Carbon reduction targets – you, I, and them.”  

Exhibition opens everyday till September 30th. Youth workshops and seminars are also available. Visitors will deepen their understanding on the importance of SDGs. They are also encouraged to take on the “Good Life Goals,” which are a set of challenges that connect daily activities to realizing the SDGs, promote environmental protection, justice and peace for all, and a sustainable future for all.