Finding No Poverty For a World Without Violence in Italy

Friday, 7 December 2007, 3:23 p.m.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Dharamshala:A battery of Nobel Peace laureates including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Walesa, Muhammad Yunus and Mairead Corrigan together with renowned human rights activist Kerry Kennedy and Bob Gedolf gather in Italy next week to examine ways to create a world without poverty and violence. The summit will approve a Charter for the world without violence.

His Holiness arrived in Milan, Italy on Wednesday for a 11-day visit. On his arrival at the airport, His Holiness was welcomed by Thomthog Rinpoche, Ugo Papi and Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen.

On 6 December, His Holiness gave interviews to 5 television journalists and met with top six print media journalists in Italy.

His Holiness is also scheduled to meet with the President of the Province of Milan and later with H E Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan at Arcivescovado di Milano.

1990 Nobel Peace Laureate Mikhail Gorbochev

On his arrival in regional office of Lombard, His Holiness will be accorded an official welcome reception by the regions' president Hon Roberto Formigoni.

Later, His Holiness will also confer a two-day teaching on Nagarjuna's commentary on Boddhicitta (Jangchup Semdrel).

On the next day, the mayor of the town of Cologno Monzese will confer the honorary citizenship to His Holiness. Later that day, His Holiness will give Avalokiteshwara Initiation and a public talk on "The Way toward Inner Peace and Non-violence".

His Holiness is scheduled to visit Udine Castle and meet with the local leaders and officials. The meeting will begin with an introductory address by Don Pierlugi, followed by speeches by Dr Cernetig, local representative of the government, Dott Riccardo Illy, president of Fruili Council, Prof Sergio Cecotti, mayor of Udine. His Holiness will deliver a key-note address at the end.

Later in the afternoon, His Holiness will attend the celebration of International Human Rights Day and the 18th Anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize conferred to him. Geshe Phende of Jangchub Choeling will give the opening remarks at the ceremony. Other speakers include Dan Pierluigi Di Piazza of Ernesto Balducci, Plinio Beneddetti of Jangchub Choeling and representative of the Italian based Tibetan community Thubten Tenzin. His Holiness will deliver the concluding address followed by a question and answer session.

Lech Walesa, the 1983 Nobel Peace Laureate

Later that day, His Holiness will take part in inter-religious meeting at Palasport. With an introductory address by Don Pierluigi, Archbishop of Udine will deliver the welcome speech. It will be followed by speeches by His Holiness, Cardinal Patriarch of Venice, Dott Elia Richetti, Chief Rabbi of Venice and Salech Ibaria, president of the Islamic Centre of Triesta.

His Holiness will visit the University of Udine and deliver a key-note address on "Ethics and Education" to selected students of secondary school and students of Udine University. The chancellor of the University Prof Furio Honsell will make the welcome address.

Later, His Holiness will attend the consecration ceremony of a newly built temple (1000 Buddha Statue) and a stupa followed by short teaching on the 7th Dalai Lama's "Tamding Drenpa Shiden". His Holiness will later fly to the Capital Rome.

In Rome, His Holiness will attend the Peace Summit Award 2007-a ceremony for Hollywood actor George Clooney at Gulio Cesare Hall. The ceremony will open with an address by the president of the Chamber of Deputies of Italian Republic Mr Fausto Bertinotti, followed by an introductory statement by Co-Chairman of Summit Walter Veltroni and Mikhail Gorbachev. His Holiness will deliver a key-note address on "The Next Generations: Is it possible a future without violence".

2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus

His Holiness will deliver a lecture on "Ethics of the New Millennium", followed by question and answer session. In the afternoon session, His Holiness will attend the musical homahe at Italian Parliament. The Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee will give the introductory speech followed by an address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

On his arrival in Turin, His Holiness will be welcomed by Mr Gariglio, President of the Regional Council and Mrs Spinosa and Mr Leo, coordinators of "Association of Commons, provinces and Regions for Tibet", Mr Sergio Chiamparino, Mayor of Turin and Mr Guiseppe Castronovo, President of the City Council. Next day, His Holiness will meet with the press and deliver a public talk. His Holiness will also meet with the main regional authorities and the official representatives of the "association of commons, Provinces and regions for Tibet".

Later, His Holiness will meet with the mayor of Turin along with the main authorities of the town, followed by official ceremony to confer His Holiness with the "freedom of the city of Turin" award.

His Holiness will leave Italy for Delhi on 17 December.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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