On 1 August 2022, SGM Secretary-General Tan Leng gave a talk on the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at a conference organised by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) held at its Senate Hall and online via its official Youtube. Entitled “National Implementation and the Role of Youth,” the conference was presided upon by YTM Dato’ Seri DiRaja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, the Tunku Temenggong Kedah and National Chairperson of Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS). The conference aimed to look into youth advocacy towards eliminating nuclear weapons and the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons via an interfaith discussion.
In his speech during the second panel discussion on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, Tan Leng responded to a question on SGM’s approach to garner the commitments to support the state in implementing the obligations under TPNW.
He mentioned various SGI and SGM activities carried out to raise awareness among the masses on the effort to create a world free from nuclear weapons, including the submission of SGI President Ikeda’s annual peace proposals to the United Nations, the holding of “Everything You Treasure-For a World Free from Nuclear Weapons” exhibitions, interfaith dialogues and seminars, documentary production and radio interviews. Such activities help promote the universalisation of the TPNW, which is one of the obligations of the states parties to the treaty.
Tan also introduced some of the principles of Nichiren Buddhism, the symbol of the Treasure Tower in the Lotus Sutra, and the preciousness and dignity of life. He also spoke about the interconnectedness of life and the catastrophic damages should a nuclear war break out.
In the following question-and-answer session, Tan stressed on the importance of the power of youth in shaping the times and changing the future.
The conference ended on 2 August and included speakers and representatives from other universities and non-governmental organisations.
