Rebuilding a healthy and harmonious relationship with Nature, addressing the issue of population growth, coming to terms with the problems of energy resources, and putting an end to conflicts that destroy entire peoples and ecosystems. These are topics that over the past thirty years have been addressed on several occasions from many points of view and have in Aurelio Peccei a true forerunner. Founder of the Club of Rome and promoter of the famous report entitled The Limits of Development, he tackled together with SGI President Daisaku Ikeda many issues that still impose themselves, even more urgently, on our attention today. The task the two authors took on was onerous, especially because of the obvious difficulty of "singing out of the choir," that is, trying to stimulate a major international debate on topics that few were willing to question. But it is precisely in this that one recognizes the caliber of the great protagonists, who become bearers of messages that transcend the present moment and urge us to build a clear vision of the future.

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Peace is not just the absence of war. Appeals are often made for the ideals of "peace and justice," but most of the time they end up as mere slogans. In the dialogue contained in this book, Stuart Rees and Daisaku Ikeda share their ideas and visions on how to create the conditions for peace through deep awareness, a commitment to nonviolence as a "law of life," and unwavering dedication. It is the authors' belief that it is in fact these concrete elements, and not an ideology or abstract thought, that make possible a society that cultivates the dignity of all people. Finally, Rees and Ikeda emphasize how the "poetic spirit" is an excellent creative tool for imagining and realizing a future in which peace and justice are one. Peace, Justice and Poetry offers a fascinating and compelling analysis of the ills that plague our society. It also points to a nonviolent path that leads to authentic peace and offers those seeking peace the encouragement and inspiration they need. Joseph Camilleri, professor emeritus of international relations, La Trobe University, Melbourne

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A dialogue on the role of civil society in peacebuilding. In this book, Kevin P. Clements, one of the world's leading experts in conflict resolution studies, dialogues with philosopher and Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda on the topic of peace and the role of civil society in it. In their conversations, far from academic or theoretical, based on the concrete experiences of the two authors, who have dedicated their lives to peacebuilding, they provide a wealth of examples where it was the actions of ordinary people that transformed social and political situations. Unusual aspects of the peace-building process emerge that are within the reach not only of diplomats and statesmen but of every person. For example, the importance of "imagining" what the world we would like to live in would look like, or the importance of "conviviality," i.e., the pleasure of conversing with people in informal circumstances, such as over a nice lunch, which surprisingly has proved crucial to so many negotiations. It is an invitation to everyone and especially to young people to become empowered, because, as Daisaku Ikeda says, "lack of trust in government is observed in every country, but if young people lose interest in politics, society will have no future." And again addressed to young people, but not only, is the two authors' call to take the risk of stepping out of one's comfort zone and opening up to the diversity of others. The conviction of these two great thinkers is that the road to peace will open only when young people work together for a common purpose, united to solve problems across national borders. "Peace is not something abstract or separate from daily life. We can all do something for peace right where we are now." Daisaku Ikeda "Fear and distrust do not help change. The only way to create a just and peaceful world is to act with the confidence that we want a better future. "Kevin Clements "To sincerely listen to the problems of a single person, there where we are now, to encourage them and nurture the hope in their heart is a humble and tenacious effort; it may not be news that will go around the world, it may not go down in the annals of history, but every person who feels a new hope burning in their heart will find the strength to live again, and your action will have been valuable to their life. This is the basis of a solid peace movement firmly rooted in people's hearts. It is my fervent wish that young people first continue to build a network of people who spread joy and revitalization, thus creating a magnificent ray of light for the twenty-first century. "Daisaku Ikeda

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It is indisputable that economics plays a vital role in our lives, both on an individual and societal level. Yet, many people find the topic complex and difficult to deal with and tend to avoid dealing with it. In this dialogue, economist Lawrence J. Lau and Buddhist philosopher and president of the International Soka Gakkai Daisaku Ikeda approach the topic of the development of economics in modern society from a historical perspective, examining what lessons can be learned from the East Asian currency crises in 1997 and the global financial crisis in 2007-2009. Touching on various topics, the authors help readers understand the challenges that globalization has imposed on economies, the importance of government regulation of markets, and the delicate issue of combining a country's economic growth with the well-being of the population as a whole. These conversations, in which the economic aspects are not separated from people's daily lives, thus become small lessons in economics, in which, thanks to simple language within everyone's reach, we can begin to unravel the mystery of economics, a discipline that concerns the backbone of the world in which we are immersed, knowledge of which is often precluded by technical complexities and specialized terminology. "Economics," said economist John Kenneth Galbraith, "must serve for human happiness," and "the fundamental force that moves the economy is people." Daisaku Ikeda is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and leader of the Buddhist movement that draws on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin. An activist, philosopher, educator and poet, for more than 70 years Ikeda has been dedicated to spreading Buddhist humanism around the world and building the foundation for a culture of peace. SGI, which has members in 192 countries and territories, encourages individuals to develop their inner potential and contribute as global citizens to overcome the collective challenges facing humankind. He is the founder of Soka University, which has branches in Japan and the United States, and many other institutions that are committed to finding solutions to the many crises of contemporary times. In 1983 he was awarded the United Nations Peace Prize. Lawrence J. Lau was Professor of Economics at Stanford University from 1976 to 2004, then became the sixth Vice Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, holding that position for seven years. He is the author of numerous publications including The Chinese Economy in the Twenty-first Century: An Econometric Approach. The challenge for policy lies in balancing economic growth with improving people's quality of life and ensuring that this effort is stable and sustainable. The second president of the Soka Gakkai Josei Toda often told us that individual happiness should never be sacrificed on the altar of social prosperity but that the two must advance hand in hand. I believe there is a growing urgency for economic activity to focus not only on efficiency but also on the interest of the community. Daisaku Ikeda To overcome the current crisis, developed economies must focus on reviving the real economy by walking a sustainable growth path and not inventing more financial sleight of hand. We must not lose sight of the fact that the role of the financial sector is to support other sectors of the economy and that ultimately the financial sector must rely directly on the performance of the real economy. Lawrence J. Lau

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The spiritual master confronts two disciples who have reached the heights of notoriety in contemporary jazz. The desire to transmit the creative spirit and the importance of the inner growth of the artist, as well as any other person, are some of the themes around which the dialogue is structured. The three authors describe several relevant experiences in their lives and help us understand how important is the continuous process of renewal that unites an artist's religious quest and creativity.

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A great geographical and cultural distance separates Japan from Argentina. However, Daisaku Ikeda, president of the International Soka Gakkai, and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have managed to build a deep friendship, based on common affinities and values, in defense of human rights without borders or discrimination of any kind. Ikeda and Pérez Esquivel engage in dialogue on topics such as solidarity, the wisdom of peoples and women, resistance to totalitarianism, the search for effective action and the appreciation of different cultures, with the aim of finding a way to peace. The authors, through words and life examples, seek to convey to young people the value of energetic and passionate commitment to peace, hope and justice for their peoples and for all peoples on Earth.

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On the threshold of the 21st century, rapid scientific and technological advances in medicine have enabled modern civilization to make enormous strides forward: many serious diseases have been eradicated, the terrible epidemics of the past have been stamped out, surgery, with the help of highly sophisticated techniques, now makes it possible to heal once incurable diseases and to improve the quality of life for many sick people. But at the same time, man has been experiencing increasingly widespread and worrisome "suffering of the soul." Indeed, rapid changes require engagement that undermines our spiritual energy, causing mental disorders and depression. A Buddhist philosopher, a biologist and a bioethics specialist seek common ground to address the major issues that the new millennium has brought with it: in vitro fertilization, the fight against cancer and AIDS, euthanasia, the doctor-patient relationship, and bioethics. This book provides insights, viewpoints and reflections on the challenge of being human today. The more feeble our contact with nature and interiority becomes, the more distant the goal of every human being -- happiness -- becomes. What we can hope for-this is the authors' thesis-is for science and spirituality to harmonize having Man, and his well-being, as the only end. René SimardEx rector of the University of Montreal, molecular biologist, is a renowned authority in the field of cancer research. Guy BourgeaultHe is a professor at the University of Montreal in the field of bioethics research and cultural education.

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A Japanese Buddhist leader, Daisaku Ikeda, and a British sociologist, Brian Wilson, discuss the role of religion and its connections to the major ethical and social problems of our time. their dialogue focuses on the role and importance of religion and religious feeling for both the individual and society as a whole. The positive potential of religious doctrines for the inner development of human beings and the proper functioning of society emerges. However, the authors do not fail to point out the risks associated with the institutionalization of religious movements and the use of religion as an instrument of control and power.

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