HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA TO VISIT ITALY
16 June, 2001: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of the six million Tibetan people, will visit Italy from 27 June to 2 July this year at the invitation of Trento Autonomous Province and US-based Association for Global New Thought, the host of Synthesis-The Dialogue II. His Holiness will be the official guest of the Autonomous Province of Trento from 27 to 29 June.
On 28 morning the Tibetan Leader will be received at a meeting by Mr. Lorenzo Dellai, the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento and Mr. Pacher, the Lord Mayor of Trento City.
Following this meeting, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will receive a presentation, titled, “Autonomy and self-governing” describing the features of the autonomous status enjoyed by Trento province in Italy. Thereafter, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be received at an official luncheon hosted by the Trento Province at Buonconsiglio Castle.
During these meetings the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Tibetan Government in Exile are expected to reach initial agreement on cultural exchange programmes for the future. The Province last year donated 60 million Lira to Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement located in Orissa State of India which was devastated by cyclones.
Later in the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will arrive at the Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square) in Trento to deliver a Public Talk to the people of the city. Mr. Pinter, the Vice-President of the Autonomous Province of Trento will welcome the Tibetan Leader at the public talk. The programme is being organised by the Province in collaboration with Associazione Italia-Tibet, the Tibet Support Group in Italy.
On 29 June morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit the Garden of Peace in Arco Village to plant a tree for peace. This will be followed by a visit to the Campana Maria Dolen in Rovereto Village, the site of the biggest ringing Bell in the world (now known as the Bell of Peace), in memory of the victims of World War II. Together with the Bishop of Trento, His Holiness will participate in a Inter-religious Prayer at the Bell of Peace.
In the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will arrive at Pinzolo Mountain Village to be honoured with the 30th Targa d’Argento-Premio Internazionale di Solidarieta Alpina (International Award for Alpine Solidarity).
In the final programme with the Autonomous Province of Trento, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate in an academic celebration on Ethics and Human Rights at the Trento University. At the celebration, the Tibetan Leader will be presented with the University’s Award, “Cathedra of Excellence”.
From 30 June to 1 July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate in the Synthesis Dialogues II which will take place at Mariapolis Centre in Cadine, Italy. This conference will be attended by representatives of the major religions, as well as by international social leaders. During the two days of the Synthesis Dialogues, His Holiness will share His views on the following topics to the participants: “The Spiritual State of the World;” “Taking Responsibility for our Useful Commitments;” and, “Ethics for the New Millennium”.
According to the organiser, the Dialogue will discuss the urgent questions of religious and political freedom which is brought to light by the challenges facing Tibet and the Tibetan people. Participants agree that a spiritually grounded collaboration will continue to constructively affect–not only the Tibetan community and culture–but indigenous peoples everywhere.
Similarly, the conference in Cadine will explore, through the exchange of ideas and “best practices” which reflect the work of those in attendance, the unique opportunities for partnership, as well as the obstacles they face, in creating a wiser, more peaceful and compassionate society.
The first Synthesis Dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was inaugurated in Dharamsala, India, in September 1999. The project is convened by The Association for Global New Thought, a group representing hundreds of interdenominational churches in the U.S. The purpose of these meetings is to nurture a unified relationship among influential social leaders who are deeply concerned about Tibet and who wish to support a widespread campaign to bring awareness to this issue.
For more information contact: [email protected]
On 2 July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will depart for India. This is the fifteenth visit by the Tibetan Leader to Italy since 1973.
Issued by
Tibet Bureau
Geneva, Switzerland