On 8–9 October 2024, a conference titled “It’s Time for a Human Revolution! Sparking Action Through Inner Transformation and Mutual Learning” was hosted at Taplow Court, SGI-UK’s national center. The event was co-organized by The Club of Rome, its Fifth Element initiative and the Soka Gakkai, with support from SGI-UK and the Centre for Applied Buddhism.

The conference brought together seasoned academics, activists and youth from around the world, including representatives from The Club of Rome’s youth network, the 50 Percent. The conference attracted 150 participants in person, and over 450 joined a live stream session on 9 October.

This event is part of a joint project marking the 40th anniversary of Before It Is Too Late, a dialogue between The Club of Rome co-founder Dr. Aurelio Peccei (1908–84) and SGI President Daisaku Ikeda (1928–2023), and the 45th anniversary of No Limits to Learning, a report to The Club of Rome. It explored the theme of inner transformation, described by Dr. Peccei and Mr. Ikeda as “human revolution”—an essential for building a sustainable and peaceful society.

Prior to the October conference, on 28 August 2024, a webinar was held to launch the initiative. Mamphela Ramphele, former co-president of The Club of Rome, was among the speakers.

On 8 October, SGI-UK General Director Justine Marchant welcomed participants, followed by words from Carlos Álvarez Pereira, Secretary-General of The Club of Rome, and Robert Harrap, SGI Europe Co-chair. Mr. Harrap emphasized how Mr. Ikeda and Dr. Peccei, despite their different cultural and religious backgrounds, had identified solutions to shared human challenges through dialogue, expressing his personal commitment to follow their example.

Presenters shared how inner change can spark societal change. Alice Ferrario of the youth-led Senzatomica campaign on nuclear disarmament in Italy spoke on the topic of “Humans and Self.” Karima Kadaoui, member of The Club of Rome, addressed “Human and Others,” while Dr. Alexandra Goossens-Ishii of the SGI Office for UN Affairs discussed “Humans and Nature.”

Participants then engaged in group dialogues to explore the different aspects of the topic. The groups were moderated by specially trained facilitators to enable the art of deep listening and mutual exploration of ideas.

During the hybrid event on 9 October, SGI Europe Co-chair Suzanne Pritchard stressed that a human revolution fostering the inner transformation of each individual can fundamentally change society and the environment.

Carlos Álvarez Pereira delivered the keynote address, underscoring Dr. Peccei’s vision of hope. He stated that Dr. Peccei’s message was never one of pessimism, but rather one of optimism, emphasizing the importance of an inquiring spirit to overcome difficulties. Dr. Peccei also advocated for the transformative power of human revolution as key to realizing a society where both self and community thrive.

Academics and youth representatives then participated in an intergenerational panel discussion that included personal reflections and recitation of poems the participants found inspirational. The event concluded with a youth panel looking forward to future collaboration for the sake of peace.

The broader project, launched in August 2024 by The Club of Rome and the Soka Gakkai, aims to promote dialogue and explore the dynamic relationship between inner change and systemic change as means to address current global crises. In an August interview, Co-President of The Club of Rome Sandrine Dixson-Declève noted:

“Both Aurelio Peccei and Daisaku Ikeda were humanists who understood complexity and the need for a human revolution and evolution towards a greater sense of humanity and humility. They both saw a desperate need to shift from the ‘ego’ to the ‘eco’ and from the ‘me’ to the ‘we’ through individual transformation and broader societal change.”

The joint project will continue for a two-year period, featuring webinars, social media outreach and discussions to sustain momentum and inspire ongoing action.