Men’s Local Conferences Inspire Future Development

By Eddie Law, Toronto

Central Chinese Area men's conference participants

Over the November 2nd weekend, 114 participants blazed through the cold and rainy autumn weather to attend four Men’s Conferences across Southern Ontario. Some men with strong seeking spirit drove long distances to participate. These local conferences were inaugurated to replace the former Caledon Conferences, enabling more practitioners to take part. 

SGI Canada Men’s Leader, Ian Mattinson, came from Calgary to support all the conferences. He encouraged everyone and emphasized fostering of youth and especially the Future Division (ages 5 to 17). 

During the meetings, practitioners shared their personal experiences and discussed the core practice of faith, overcoming difficulties and global citizenship. 

In studying about the Osaka Incident in 1957 and the stepping down of President Ikeda from being the Soka Gakkai president in 1979, participants began to understand their importance and in valuing our mentor and SGI as a movement toward a peaceful world. 

The meetings ended with participants in high spirits vowing to participate in more SGI activities and use the encouragement from the conferences as a platform to further the development of the men’s group.