11th Annual Friendship Concert Celebrates Peace Through Music

11th Annual Friendship Concert Celebrates Peace Through Music

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11th Annual Friendship Concert Celebrates Peace Through Music SGINZ Victorious March Band and Manukau Concert Band held their annual joint concert on a stormy Sunday afternoon on 16 June 2013. The howling wind and sheet rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of concert patrons who turned out in full force. And they were not disappointed for it was a musical odyssey traversing the globe; from music to an Albanian Dance to Puccini's Nessun Dorma and Williams' English Folk Song Suite, it was an uplifting journey not just across continents but through time. (more…)
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SGINZ celebrates International Women’s Day in Wellington

SGINZ celebrates International Women’s Day in Wellington

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In celebration of this year’s United Nations International Day of Women on 8 March, women from different religions and diverse beliefs, from different ethnicities and cultures joined together for the Wellington Women Walk for Peace event, which comprised a lunchtime Peace Walk through the city of Wellington and a Peace Celebration at the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand.  The events this year emphasised the empowerment of women and speaking out against violence on women and children, and against war. The events were organised by the Wellington Women Walk for Peace founders and friends, including representatives from Soka Gakkai International of NZ. Peace Walk MC, Emma Willis introduces Barbara Arnold, President of the National Council of Women As custodians of the Wellington Heritage Peace Walk, SGINZ organised the Peace Walk on Parliament grounds.  Deb Moran,…
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iChoose in the Media

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On 1 March, Scoop editor Alastair Thomson attended the iChoose performance at Kelston Boys High in Waitakere.  He interviewed director Lisa Brickell and ICAP producer Kay Yoshikawa and asks the question “why bring the show to NZ?”  Check out the interview plus the video clips on the show and workshop (including a moving segment when the entire auditorium of school boys broke out into a spontaneous haka in appreciation for the show) on  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1303/S00008/ichoose-to-stop-using-passive-violence-500-words.htm. Other media coverage includes an interview with the cast and crew by Auckland based Chinese/ English news channel, WTV – see http://www.tv9.co.nz/?p=3681. And article by independent blogger Amazon News Media -  see  http://is.gd/natcon.
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iChoose Debuts in Auckland Schools

iChoose Debuts in Auckland Schools

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On 25 February 2013, the SGINZ-sponsored iChoose anti bullying programme was rolled out to Auckland high schools. Debuting in front of Year 9 students at Mount Albert Grammar (High) School, one of the largest and most multicultural schools in New Zealand, the cast were warmly welcomed and given plenty of positive feedback from both students and teachers. The performance captivated the audience and kept them engaged throughout. The personal experiences shared by the cast resonated with students, many of whom left with a smile. And teachers were very appreciative of Yukie Oki, a Mount Albert teacher who had arranged for the program to come to her school. Later that day, iChoose was similarly well received at central Auckland’s Dilworth School, an all-boys boarding school established in 1906. The humour combined…
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iChoose Wows at Dress Rehearsal

iChoose Wows at Dress Rehearsal

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The dress rehearsal was held ahead of the roll-out of the programme in ten Auckland high schools the following week.   Among the audience were Labour MP for Mangere, Su’a William Sio and his teenage daughter, Dale Ferris (National Network for Stopping Violence), Johnnie Black and Christina Barruel from the Peace Foundation, teachers and students from Albany Senior High School, Kelston Boys High School, Waiuku College and Epsom Girls’ Grammar, parents and friends of the cast and members of SGINZ. Using music and drama to depict the many forms of bullying and passive violence in a classroom setting, the powerful 20 minute performance highlighted issues facing young Kiwis like physical abuse, binge eating, racism, cyber-bullying and suicide though the lives of the classroom characters.   The audience were clearly enthralled.…
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iChoose makes an impact at Albany Senior High and Tangaroa College

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26 February - The second day of iChoose proved another thrilling day for the team. Staff and students of Albany Senior High School warmly welcomed cast and crew onto their gorgeous campus. Albany is a state-of-the-art facility where, according to Principal Barbara Cavanagh, students are focused on as young adults. All along the corridors these young adults voiced their excitement at the appearance of this visiting group of young performers. As the show began, teachers and somewhat fidgety students were taken by surprise at iChoose’s emotional power, and they were quick to go along for the ride. Even beyond the performance, students responded to the individual experiences shared by the cast, testimonials regarding issues that matched the students’ own personal struggles. Following the show, a majority of the students joined…
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‘iChoose’, Innovative Anti Bullying Programme Launches in Auckland Schools

‘iChoose’, Innovative Anti Bullying Programme Launches in Auckland Schools

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“iChoose”, an innovative anti-bullying programme will be launched in Auckland schools on 25 February 2013.  The programme was launched in the United States in 2010 and has since toured high schools in Hawaii, New York, Los Angeles and Oslo, Norway. iChoose is aimed alping youth bullying for what it is: a choice. iChoose challenges people to stop, think and remember that their choices matter. The programme comprises of a 20 minute musical production by young New Zealand performers, followed by a discussion with students facilitated by the cast members. The show will be followed up with the internationally successful Victory Over Violence (“VOV”) exhibition. ‘iCHOOSE’, INNOVATIVE ANTI BULLYING PROGRAMME LAUNCHES IN AUCKLAND SCHOOLS “iChoose”, an innovative anti-bullying programme will be launched in Auckland schools on 25 February 2013.  The programme…
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SGINZ Celebrates the Chinese New Year of the Snake

SGINZ Celebrates the Chinese New Year of the Snake

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On Sunday 10 February, Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand celebrated the Lunar Year of the Snake at the Auckland Culture Centre in Ellerslie with about 500 people.  The celebration opened in grand style with the traditional lion dance and the “God of Prosperity” conferring ‘red packets’ filled with quotes and chocolates to the audience. Special guests included Melissa Lee MP (also Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs), Cr Richard Northey from Auckland City Council, President of the Auckland Interfaith Council Ruth Cleaver and Dale Ferris from the National Network for Stopping Violence.  Guests were treated to cultural performances ranging from Chinese traditional dancing to a children’s rendition of Gangnam Style. SGINZ also launched iChoose, an innovative anti-bullying project from the United States at the Chinese New Year Celebrations with Auckland…
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“Seeds of Hope: Visions of Sustainability, Steps Toward Change” exhibition opens in Tauranga

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The exhibition Seeds of Hope opened on October 18th in Tauranga with over 80 guests attending 2 ceremonies - thanks to the SGI members in Tauranga and support of SGI members in other cities, as well as many members of the Tauranga community. The opening ceremony at the Creative Tauranga art gallery was followed by the ribbon cutting at the Goddards Centre where the panels are on display. Tracey Rudduck from Creative Tauranga was the MC, and guest speakers included Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby, United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ) President Graham Hassall, 17 year-old New Zealand Youth delegate to Rio+20 Erin Murphy, and SGINZ General Director Jimi Wallace. Stuart Crosby, Mayor of Tauranga commented “I want to acknowledge SGI locally and all the other organisations represented here today which have similar…
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Wellington Mayor Commends SGINZ, Announces Support For Peace Heritage Walk

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Mahatma Gandhi birthday commemoration held at the Gandhi statue Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown announced Council support for the Peace Heritage Walk at the Mahatma Gandhi birthday commemoration held at the Gandhi statue at Wellington’s railway station on 2 October. The event was hosted by the Council and the Wellington Indian Association. “The Peace Heritage Walk is an asset to the city and includes monuments and sculptures dedicated to peace, including the Hiroshima Peace Flame. “I’m delighted to announce the Council’s support for the Peace Walk. Mayor Wade-Brown commended the work of the Buddhist peace group Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand, as a Wellington community group, for assuming the stewardship of the Peace Heritage Walk. “There is a lot of potential to refresh awareness of the walk as another…
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