The initial vision of SIGS as a “research facility” was conceived by SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda in his 1987 peace proposal to the United Nations. In it, he sought ways to overcome global challenges the world was confronting at the time, especially the primacy of sovereign interests over “the interests of the whole human race,” which was most prominently represented by the presence of nuclear weapons. To pursue global solutions to global issues, Mr. Ikeda called for greater “cooperation between intellectuals and ordinary people for the creation of a strategy toward global peace” and envisioned a future “research facility” to facilitate such network-building:

The information, proposals and vision for global peace and stability forthcoming from the center should not be directed to governments alone. Instead, it must work to inspire the citizens of the world to act and to share their wisdom. Consequently, it must be open to the opinions of members from grassroots movements and must always walk together with the people (Ikeda, 1987).

SIGS aims to provide such a space. We seek to build a network sustained by “citizens” who come from different walks of life and represent various aspects of society, united in a common purpose of serving the interests of common people. This network is not just something created by or for elites and experts. Rather, it is a citizens’ network that invites coming together, through inspiration and a shared sense of responsibility. We seek to build a platform that serves as a catalytic conduit for those citizens to form a collaborative, participatory, purposeful, and self-sustaining network.