SGI-Europe Youth Commemorate March 16

Creative dance at event in Paris

In the SGI, March 16, 1958 is celebrated as a day epitomizing youth awakening to their mission and accepting responsibility for creating lasting peace. SGI youth around the world celebrated the day with various events, including those of SGI-Europe. In a message, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda expressed his hopes that the SGI-Europe youth would develop into leaders who can rally those around them to work for humanity's peace and happiness.

Some 3,000 young people in France gathered for meetings in Paris, Trets and Nantes, respectively, to commemorate the day. Catherine Bechereau of UNHCR's national association in France spoke and expressed appreciation for the SGI's efforts and support of the UNHCR. Emanuelle Rouffi, head of UNHCR's national association in France, spoke at the meeting at the Civic Hall in Paris (March 11) and the Nantes Culture Center in Nantes (March 12).

SGI-France youth gather in Trets, Southern France

Gathering in Nantes

Gathering in Paris

SGI-Netherlands youth met at their culture center and studied "The World of Nichiren Daishonin's Writings" on March 18 and 19, 2006.

SGI youth in Oslo, Norway, invited friends and studied SGI President Ikeda's lecture on "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime" on March 18, 2006.

SGI-Finland youth met on March 16, 2006 in Helsinki and studied the history of the SGI Youth Division and the spirit of March 16.

SGI youth in Switzerland met with a theme of tapping genuine strength for the sake of positive transformation. Some 250 youth from an area near Italy met in Lugano City on March 11, 2006.

SGI youth in Sweden met with a theme of "Friends for Peace" on March 18 and 19, 2006, at their SGI-Sweden Center. Representatives spoke about their experiences of applying Nichiren Buddhism in their daily lives.