Singapore Management University (SMU) hosted the eighth Annual Ikeda Peace and Harmony Lecture on 23 September 2022. This year’s lecture was helmed by Mr George Yeo, Visiting Scholar, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, with the theme of his speech being “A Broader Mind, A Bigger Heart”.

The lecture, which took place in hybrid format, was attended by more than 1,000 guests that included members of the Soka Gakkai Singapore and academic community, students, alumni and members of the public. Organised by the SMU College of Integrative Studies (CIS) and Wee Kim Wee Centre, the lecture series is supported by the Soka Gakkai Singapore and aims to put in action President Ikeda’s commitment to dialogue as the means of transforming threat and difficulty into cooperation and mutual growth.

Delivering the lecture in person at the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law, Mr George Yeo shared insights on how it is important for each individual to see the world from the perspectives of others and not be too quick to jump to conclusions. This was especially key in a world that is fracturing and opening up new fault lines between countries and within human communities.

Following the address, students and members of the audience had the opportunity to engage Mr Yeo in an interactive dialogue session. Moderated by Ngoei Wen-Qing, Assistant Professor of History, SMU College of Integrative Studies, Mr Yeo cited practical examples of developments taking place globally when he fielded questions from the floor,  drawing from his vast experience as a former diplomat. Having served 23 years in the Singapore Government as a minister with various portfolios from 1988 to 2011, and sitting on various advisory bodies and company boards, both local and international, Mr Yeo offered refreshing and contemporary insights to a multifaceted discussion.  

CIn acknowledgement of the Wee Kim Wee Centre’s long-standing relationship with Soka Gakkai Singapore and their shared belief and commitment to hosting the Annual Ikeda Peace and Harmony Lecture series, Professor Elvin Lim, Dean, SMU College of Integrative Studies, said in his welcome remarks, “It is a real testament to the enduring and compelling values of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda that we are doing so under the auspices of a lecture in his name, and generously supported by Soka Gakkai Singapore. CIS and the Wee Kim Wee Centre are pleased to host this annual lecture and we share Dr. Ikeda’s commitment to the value of interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue."

“I’m also delighted that our guest speaker this evening will speak to the aspiration of broader minds and bigger hearts, something that the 21st century so urgently needs,” added Professor Lim.

“We are delighted that the lecture is being held in person, after two years of virtual events due to the pandemic,” said Mr Michael Yap, Vice General Director, Soka Gakkai Singapore, in his opening remarks. “On behalf of Mr Daisaku Ikeda, I would like to express my appreciation to Mr George Yeo for agreeing to speak at this evening’s Lecture. We share the commitment of SMU and the Wee Kim Wee Centre towards enabling intercultural and inter-civilisation dialogue."

Describing Mr Yeo as a foremost statesman who has served as a bridge between East and West, an envoy between civilisations and a translator among cultures, Mr Yap encouraged members of the audience to take the opportunity to engage him in dialogue.

“I believe that the last time I was at SMU to give a talk (to a smaller audience), was before 2011. Before I lost the elections in 2011,” commented Mr Yeo humorously, to laughter from the audience. “From that experience, I remember SMU students as being fairly different, confident and articulate. Perhaps there is something about the character of the school, maybe due to its city campus. I hope this tradition continues.”

Mr Yeo spoke on far-ranging topics, with a unifying element of being cognisant and respectful of one another’s perspectives. This was illustrated by Mr Yeo through examples varying from the philosophy of genetic engineering in the area of biomedical sciences, to how social media is creating havoc and creating alternative sources of information. He described how artificial intelligence is creating various moral challenges, unleashing another genie from the bottle and pondered the question of how global governments should best regulate such areas of complexity. 

“One of the biggest divisions today, is between religions. When we think of each other as inconveniences, we are debasing each other,” said Mr Yeo, on the topic of choices, and of keeping an open mind towards differences in religion, attitudes and beliefs. He urged all to choose to act kindly despite the hustle and hectic schedules of everyday demands, to choose tolerance and to relate to one another in a moral manner. “In little ways, if we are able to accommodate each other, treating each other as brothers and sisters (instead of being calculative), we begin to see each other as being interconnected and being part of a large life.”

During a lively Q&A segment, Mr Yeo gave his views on questions ranging from the benefits of increased religiosity to the impending hike on GST. He urged all to celebrate intelligence and to treasure talent, commenting that meritocracy comes hand in hand with responsibility. Citing the example of Confucian societies prizing scholars and examinations, Mr Yeo commented that “the greater the gift, the greater the responsibility to bless others with it.”

Asked about his views on the recent trends of quiet quitting and “tang ping” amongst the younger generation, Mr Yeo said: “We make choices, and choices come with consequences. In the end, it is about economics. If you choose not to study, then you do not graduate. You have to produce, and to generate surpluses… when we take liberties with ourselves, there are consequences and we can’t escape that.”

Underscoring the importance of maintaining a broader mind and a bigger heart, Mr Yeo said, “The doctor has got to learn from his patient, the teacher from his student, and the parent from his child. We play different roles at different stages of our lives.”

Photo credit: SMU