2000 - 2010
A New Age of Peace, Culture and Education
2000
The year 2000 was another significant year for SGM. On November 27, 2000, President Ikeda began his second visit to Malaysia. This time, he was here to receive an honorary doctorate of letters awarded by the Universiti Putra Malaysia for his outstanding contributions to peace, culture and education. This was the first honorary doctorate awarded to the SGI leader from a Malaysian university.
It was also during this trip that the SGI leader, who is also the founder of Tadika Seri Soka (TSS), visited the kindergarten on December 1, which was followed by his second visit to the SGM Culture Centre for the second time. He encouraged TSS children and SGM members to become people who contribute to the wellbeing of society.
The 2000s also saw growing recognition of SGM’s efforts in creating a harmonious Malaysian society and for President Ikeda’s global peacebuilding efforts.
2001
2001
The following year saw the opening of Wisma Kebudayaan SGM (WKSGM), a 12-storey centre for promoting peace through artistic, cultural and educational exchanges and events. The centre was officially opened on November 18, 2001 by Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Anuwar Ali, then vice-chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia). Since its establishment, WKSGM has held hundreds of events which saw the participation of hundreds of thousands of people from Malaysia and many other countries.
2003
2003
From April to June 2003, the National Art Gallery held the “Dialogue with Nature” exhibition showcasing the photographic works of President Ikeda. In the roughly seven weeks the exhibition was on display, some 95,000 people viewed the works presented, making it one of the most-visited exhibitions of the National Art Gallery.
2004
2004
On February 27, 2004, SGM became the inaugural recipient of the Arts Supporter Awards (Anugerah Pendukung Seni) in the NGO category at the National Arts Awards 2004. In subsequent years, a few state branches also received similar recognition. The awards recognise outstanding contribution to the development of art and culture by individuals and organisations.
2005
The year 2005 saw the inaugural Run for Peace being held in Klang, Selangor. Run for Peace, a biennial event, aims to encourage youth and people from all walks of life to come together for the sake of peace whilst promoting personal and community health and to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
2006
2006
In March 2006, the Federation of Writers Association Malaysia (GAPENA) bestowed its Highest Cultural Award to the SGI leader.
2009
Open University Malaysia awarded an honorary doctorate of arts (humanities) to him in February 2009.
2010
Malaysia’s oldest university, the University of Malaysia awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities in August 2010.
