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Autonomous Weapons Systems: Ensuring Human Control Based on Respect for the Dignity of Life Autonomous Weapons Systems: Ensuring Human Control Based on Respect for the Dignity of Life
“To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to humanity.” This June marked the eighty-first anniversary of humanity’s shared pledge, inscribed in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations—a pledge born from profound and painful reflection on the two world wars, which claimed the precious lives of people across the world.
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News Highlights from Seikyo Shimbun
(the Soka Gakkai's daily newspaper)

BSGI Opens Two New Centers Brazil A ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the new BSGI center in Vila Velha BSGI Opens Two New Centers Brazil:
On August 1 and 2, members from Espírito Santo State in Brazil's Southeast Region celebrated the opening of region’s first Soka Gakkai center, located in the city of Vila Velha. A total of 380 Brazil SGI (BSGI) members attended three commemorative meetings over the two days. On August 15 and 16, a new regional center was opened in Joinville, Santa Catarina State. BSGI General Director Miguel Shiratori attended the opening of both centers.
Soka Gakkai Singapore Members Perform at National Day Parade Singapore Soka Gakkai Singapore members perform during the National Day Parade at the National Stadium [© Seikyo Shimbun] Soka Gakkai Singapore Members Perform at National Day Parade Singapore:
On August 9, Singapore held its annual National Day Parade (NDP) at the National Stadium, marking the 61st anniversary of the country's independence. Some 700 Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) members performed in the third segment of the event titled “Go Beyond Our Size.” This was 41st time that SGS has participated in the parade since 1981. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and an audience of some 42,000 people attended.
Events Commemorate the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Japan Sussi Jiménez Núñez (second left) speaks at the Nagasaki Peace Lecture [© Seikyo Shimbun] Events Commemorate the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan:
In August, Soka Gakkai members in Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorated the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of the cities. Prayer meetings for all those who have lost their lives and those affected by nuclear weapons and war were held. Other events included youth peace festivals and an online meeting focusing on the testimony of a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing.

On August 3, the 202nd Hiroshima Study Lecture Series for Peace was held at the Hiroshima Ikeda Peace Memorial Hall. The lecture was given by Hideo Asano, coordinator of the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. On August 8, the 111th Nagasaki Peace Lecture was held at the Soka Gakkai Nagasaki Peace Center. Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Japan Sussi Jiménez Núñez delivered a lecture titled “Peace and Diplomacy: Costa Rica’s Contribution to Building a Safer and More Peaceful World.”