Choose Hope Symposium

The Choose Hope Symposium will take place on March 12-13, 2025, at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA. Hosted by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) and Soka Gakkai International (SGI), this landmark event will honor the legacies of David Krieger, NAPF’s Founder and President Emeritus, and Daisaku Ikeda, the SGI Founder and President, both of whom passed away in late 2023.

The symposium will begin with the 20th Frank K. Kelly Lecture on Humanity’s Future on March 12, delivered by Annie Jacobsen, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario. Jacobsen’s lecture will be followed by a panel of experts, exploring key challenges in nuclear disarmament and global security.

On March 13, a series of thought-provoking panels will delve into pressing topics including nuclear deterrence, humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, nuclear justice, the intersection of nuclear and climate activism, and the role of art and youth in securing a better future. These panels will feature leading diplomats, academics, and advocates in the field.

The Choose Hope Symposium will bring together a wide range of perspectives to address one of the most urgent issues of our time: achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. Join us for this powerful gathering as we honor legacies, exchange ideas, and work toward a more peaceful future.

Host or Publisher Nuclear Age Peace Foundation