New York, September 28 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama and prominent leaders in the philanthropic community gathered at the New-York Historical Society for Compassion in Action–Alleviating Suffering in the World, a symposium on philanthropy and the challenges of meeting today’s complex global problems.
The symposium was organized by The Tibet Fund in New York to celebrate its 25 years of service to the Tibetan community. The symposium’s panel included prominent leaders in the philanthropic community such as Steven Rockefeller, B. Stephen Toben, and Jane Wales. They were joined in the audience by many of today’s most forward-thinking philanthropists from foundations, corporations and international agencies, all eager to hear His Holiness’s views on the deeper meaning of generosity and the ways that spiritual approaches can bring clarity and wisdom to solving real-world problems.
The discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama focused on the issues that philanthropists face in their work and ways to help solve the intractable causes of suffering in the world. The panelists shared their experience and views with His Holiness and posed questions about how a deeper understand of suffering, interdependence, compassion, and wisdom can strengthen the effectiveness of grant-making.
His Holiness has inspired fresh thinking about the work of philanthropy that could lead to innovation in the field through on-going exchange in the philanthropic community. The Tibet Fund sees Compassion in Action as the first of a series of such exchanges.
The Tibet Fund is a non-profit organization founded by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and dedicated to helping Tibetans rebuild their lives and preserve their distinct cultural, religious and national identity both inside Tibet and in the exile communities.
