Book Donation at Library Services of Fiji (LSF) facility
SGI has a long history of donating books to public libraries, universities and schools, which in recent years has also been extended to Pacific island nations. Most recently,on May 7th 2012, SGI sponsored book donation ceremonies were held at the Library Services of Fiji (LSF) facility and at Fiji National University (FNU), both located in the capital of Suva.
LSF director Ms Merewalesi Vueti, said the books would inspire those that love reading and expressed her appreciation to SGI saying, “We are very grateful to SGI for the donation of the three cartons of books which will broaden and enhance the knowledge of those who are keen on learning about life.”
After the ceremony, both SGINZ Men’s division leader, Ian Gordon and Fiji Men’s Division leader, Tomo Zukoshi, were interviewed by national radio and television about the reason for the donation and the spirit behind it. Quoting SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, Mr Gordon emphasized the importance of dialogue saying, ‘Dialogue must be central in our efforts, reaching out to all people everywhere, free of preconceptions’ and that the message in these books is that ‘the human spirit has the capacity to transform even the most difficult of circumstances, creating value and ever richer meaning to all endeavours.’
Book Donation at Fiji National University (FNU)
Later that day, a similar ceremony was held in the National University main hall with deans and administrative staff present. Although a relatively new university, FNU has campuses at centres at locations throughout the country with more than 1800 staff and a student body in excess of 20,000.
Those attending admitted that they had not previously heard about President Ikeda or been exposed to his literary works, but expressed a strong desire to learn more about the the work of the SGI president and the organization he leads.