AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, May 29 – Dalai Lama Honours Tutu and Tintin at Award Ceremony in Brussels
The International Campaign for Tibet is bringing together two of the world’s leading men of peace, the Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, for the organisation’s annual Light of Truth award ceremony in Brussels on Thursday (June 1). The Dalai Lama will present fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Tutu, with the award, a simple Tibetan butter-lamp, in recognition of his leadership in championing the rights of oppressed people in his country and throughout the world. The Dalai Lama will also present the Hergé Foundation with the award for upholding Georges Remi’s legacy as the author of Tintin in Tibet.
The Light of Truth award honours individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the public understanding of Tibet.
Tsering Jampa, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet in Europe, said: “The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, who are close friends, are both in their seventies, but their passion for truth, reconciliation and the resolution of conflict through peaceful means is undimmed. Their message – that the 21st century should be a century of dialogue, and not conflict – is needed by the world now more than ever.”
During his visit to Brussels, the Dalai Lama will also update European Parliamentarians and Belgian Ministers on his ongoing dialogue with Beijing about Tibet’s future and his recent request to visit China, and will seek support for bringing about concrete progress in the process.
Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Dalai Lama’s Envoy for European Affairs, said today: “This is a critical moment for Tibet and the Tibetan people, as we go forward with the dialogue process after a decade of diplomatic stalemate. The European Union is in a unique position to affect the outcome of the process. The Dalai Lama has now taken the initiative in reaching out to the Chinese by proposing a pilgrimage to China. We hope that this visit to the heart of Europe will encourage policy-makers and leaders within the EU to encourage their Chinese counterparts to respond to his commitment to dialogue, and to meet Tibet’s spiritual leader face to face to discuss Tibet’s future.”
The Light of Truth award ceremony is at 3 pm at the Concert Noble, Rue d’Arlon 82, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, Thursday June 1. Press should arrive before 2.30 pm in order to complete security procedures – TV crews should arrive at least one hour before the event. There will be three photo-calls during the event – His Holiness presenting the award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and to the Hergé Foundation, accepted by Mrs. Fanny Rodwell, Founder and President, and the Dalai Lama together with both award winners.
