SGI-UK member Dame Claire Bertschinger DBE DL, whose 1984 BBC interview sparked Band Aid, has been widely interviewed for its fortieth anniversary, sharing her Buddhist values in the British media throughout November, reports Toni-Ann Hirayama.

Claire at work in Ethiopia, Tigrey Province, in 1984

Having begun to practise Nichiren Buddhism after her ten-year experience of working in war zones, she is passionate about passing on the positive internal change and opportunity for value creation that it brings. Appearing on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ programme, she was asked how she copes with the trauma arising from her humanitarian work. She offered that as a member of SGI-UK, she is able to do this by devoting her life to peace through activities for culture and education.

She is also featured in the 'Making a Difference' series on the Soka Global website and you can read more about her life and Band Aid on the BBC website.

You can watch Dame Claire’s interview here👇