The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions was held in Chicago, USA, from 14–18 June, under the theme of “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights.” It was the first in-person convening of the Parliament since the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 7,000 people in attendance.

At the conference, the Soka Gakkai hosted a panel discussion titled “Buddhism, Freedom and the Actualization of Human Rights.” Professor Kamilah Majied of California State University discussed how the practice of Nichiren Buddhism enhances psychological and emotional fortitude and advances human rights based on compassion. Special Advisor and Researcher Tina Davis of the Coretta and Martin Luther King Institute for Peace in Norway discussed how the philosophy embraced by the Soka Gakkai promotes the dignity of life, respect for diversity and happiness for oneself and others. The panel was moderated by Danny Hall, Director of Public Affairs for SGI-USA.

Anna Ikeda of the SGI Office for UN Affairs spoke at and moderated a panel discussion titled “Serendipity: The Joy of Anti-Nuclear Weapons Work,” which was organized by the grassroots advocacy team of the Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons. Together with Ikeda, Barbara Newsom, a peace activist and lay minister in the Episcopal Church, and Linda Cataldo Modica, a coordinator of the Tennessee Chapter of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia, discussed how their faith traditions inspire them to work against nuclear weapons.

The exhibition “Transforming Lives: The Power of Human Rights Education” was also displayed at the Parliament.