The Dalai Lama has arrived in the US and received the prestigious International Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis yesterday for his “steadfast commitment to protecting and defending the rights of the oppressed people of Tibet and elsewhere in the world.”

Mary Beth Markey, Vice President for Advocacy for ICT, said: “It is fitting that the Dalai Lama opens his US trip by receiving a major award recognizing his commitment to civil rights, in the mould of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Dalai Lama will strengthen his connection with the American people when he visits the nation’s capital in October.”

The Dalai Lama visits Washington, DC, from October 5-10, hosted by the International Campaign for Tibet. During his visit he will meet Congressional leaders and present the Light of Truth award to the late Julia Taft and to a group of Chinese who have spoken out on Tibet at great personal risk. The Dalai Lama will also attend a conference with top scientists, speak at a seminar on the importance of Tibetan Buddhist culture to the world and receive a human rights award from the Lantos Foundation, in memory of Tom Lantos. Details of his visit to Washington and press information are enclosed below.

Presentation of the Inaugural Lantos Human Rights Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 10:00 am
Congressional Auditorium, United States Capitol Visitor Center

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice has established the Lantos Human Rights Prize to honor the often unsung heroes of the human rights movement. In its inaugural year, the Lantos Human Rights Prize will be awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one of the most highly honored peacemakers of our time. The late Congressman Tom Lantos for whom the foundation was established was the first member of Congress to invite the Dalai Lama to speak in Washington, DC and one of the main architects of the United States government’s policy on Tibet.

This event is open to invited guests and to the media.

Press contact/Interview requests:
Holly Shulman, Rabinowitz-Dorf Communications
Tel (202) 265-3000 | [email protected]

2009 Light of Truth Awards

Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 1:30 p.m
With a Special Address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

ICT presents the Light of Truth Awards annually to individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the public understanding of Tibet and the Tibetan struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms.

This year, ICT will honor the late Julia Taft, a great humanitarian and true friend of Tibet. ICT will also honor a remarkable group of Chinese who, at great personal risk, have taken a daring step to advance the truth about the situation in Tibet. The names of these recipients will be announced on October 7. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, diplomat Winston Lord, a former US Ambassador to China, and Paula Dobriansky, former U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, will be present and also Committee Co-Chairs actors and activists Richard Gere and Hannes Jaenicke.

Press contacts: Kate Saunders, ICT | [email protected], cell in DC: +1 202-731-3148 or + 44 7947 138612
Ben Carrdus, ICT | [email protected] , tel: 202-580-6760 or cell: +1 202-679-9602
For general press inquiries and press registration, email: [email protected]
For more information about Light of Truth awards see: https://savetibet.org/about-ict/light-truth-awards

Mind and Life Conference: the Dalai Lama speaks with educators, scientists and contemplatives on “Educating World Citizens for the 21st Century”

Thursday, October 8, 2009, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Friday, October 9, 2009, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street, Washington, DC, 20006

In a series of public dialogues, the Dalai Lama addresses the value of social and emotional learning to education, and how we can educate people to be compassionate, competent, ethical, and engaged citizens in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The sessions are open to media, who should enter through C Street doors for credentialing and reserved press seating. Camera crews are asked to arrive early for set-up so they can be in place before the sessions begin. There will also be a pool video feed, and a separate pressroom. A full agenda can be found at http://www.educatingworldcitizens.org/

There will be a separate media availability off-site on Wednesday afternoon from 4 to 6 pm by advance arrangement only, with the moderator and two of the leading speakers not including the Dalai Lama.

Press contacts: Peter Kelley | [email protected], 301-887-1060 x115
Sarah Goldberg | [email protected], 301-887-1060 x118
For more information and to register: http://www.mindandlife.org/, http://www.educatingworldcitizens.org/

Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture to Host Teaching by the Dalai Lama: “The Heart of Change Finding Wisdom in the Modern World”

Saturday, October 10, 2009, 9:30 am
American University’s Bender Arena (click here for directions)

In a morning teaching at American University, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will explore the power of the human mind within the Tibetan Buddhist framework of view, meditation and action. The Dalai Lama will also address the importance of the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture and how this culture fits into modern life. The Dalai Lama will speak in the morning, but this is a full day event, which will include programs led by a number of renowned speakers. The teaching will be attended by more than 4,000 Buddhists and non-Buddhists from across the country.

For more information: http://dalailamadc09.com/.

Press contact/Interview requests:
Holly Shulman, Rabinowitz-Dorf Communications
Tel (202) 265-3000 | [email protected]