In today's world, violence and war pose a threat to peaceful life everywhere.

And although often ignored, nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to humanity.

Soka Gakkai International of Hong Kong (HKSGI) and the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS), the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are jointly organizing the exhibition, "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" in order to raise greater awareness about the nuclear threats, to foster a deeper understanding of current nuclear issues and to promote greater respect for life, culture and peace through sincere dialogue.

While there is no conflict that can be solved through violence, earnest dialogue based on a sincere respect for all life can enable human beings to solve all problems and work towards harmonious coexistence. The Transforming the Human Spirit exhibition introduces champions of peace from all over the world, among them Joseph Rotblat, Nelson Mandela and Helen Caldicott. Through their efforts humanity has already commenced giant steps towards world peace. Their spirit of working towards the happiness of all humankind is the key to transforming a culture of violence to a culture of peace.

The "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" exhibition has been presented in eight different languages and shown in the United States, Malaysia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Nations Geneva Office. The traveling exhibition will continue to travel the globe. "Transforming the Human Spirit" will also exhibit in numerous universities and tertiary education institutions in Hong Kong. HKSGIs university student members are volunteering to guide visitors and answer their queries for a thorough understanding of the exhibition's content, significance and objectives. Aims of Exhibition The lack of political will among states already possessing nuclear weapons is a critical impediment to nuclear disarmament. At the same time, a lack of interest and a weakened sense of urgency amongst the world's citizens further undermine any efforts for lasting change.

Aiming to raise awareness regarding nuclear disarmament, in August 2006 SGI President Daisaku Ikeda proposed the United Nations declare "A Decade of Action by the World's People for Nuclear Abolition", which would be actively supported by civil society. In support of this proposal, the SGI is developing exhibitions, testimonies of nuclear weapons survivors', DVD resources and publications as educational tools which both address the problem and show what individual people can do for nuclear abolition. These materials are specifically aimed at youth.

In April 2007, the "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" exhibition was organized in Hawaii for the first time. It was launched again in New York on September 8 of the same year. In addition to commemorating the 50th anniversary of second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda's Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, the exhibition was also the opening event for a civil society forum "Abolishing Nuclear Weapons: What Can Each Of Us Do?", marking the commencement of a decade of action by the world's people for nuclear abolition.

Objectives

To communicate the inherent connection between nuclear weapons abolition and establishing human security, placing nuclear abolition at the heart of efforts to build a culture of peace.

To galvanize public opinion to abolish nuclear weapons and create a culture of peace; to empower viewers to take action toward this end.

Content "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" consists of 4 sections

Section 1 ENSURING HUMAN SECURITY Section 2 ARMS-BASED SECURITY VS HUMAN SECURITY Section 3 CHANGING OUR WORLDVIEW Section 4 GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Nuclear weapons stand at the top of the pyramid of violence, the pervasive influence of which hangs heavily over our daily lives and expresses itself as conflicts between communities, distrust, crime, domestic violence, and abuse. At the bottom of this pyramid lies the silent, passive form of violence that manifests as a lack of concern for others' sufferings. .

The exhibition emphasizes that the fundamental solution to the nuclear issue--as well as a transformation from arms-based security to human security, from a culture of war to a culture of peace--requires a change in the human heart and that we triumph over violence. List of Venues 2007 April The School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

August Forks Market, Winnipeg, Canada New Zealand ParliamentThe Beehive), Wellington, New Zealand September The Cooper Union, New York, United States

Hofstra Universiy, New York, United States 2008 March The Singapore Expo, Singapore Taiwan Soka Association Culture Centers (Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, Kaohsiung, etc.) April to May May June July United Nations Office at Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Nepal SGI Peace Centre, Kalanki, Kathmandu, Nepal Cibao Grand Theater, Santiago, Dominican Republic Progress Gallery, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia