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SpunOut.ie Blog
Exciting new possibilities for SpunOut.ie
April forum with the Dalai Lama, Mary Robinson, Kila and more.
SpunOut.ie, and our partners at Afri and Children in Crossfire, are delighted to announce the POSSIBILITIES 2011 initiative, which will welcome Nobel Peace Laureate and exiled Tibetan Leader the Dalai Lama's visit to Ireland in April.
Speaking in advance of his visit, the Dalai Lama has today delivered a message to the people of Ireland in which he calls for people to demonstrate courage and hope:
“Our world is in turmoil but this also provides an opportunity for true transformation towards peace, justice and happiness if we show courage and hope” he said in the message which can be viewed in full on the new website http://www.possibilities.ie
The Dalai Lama’s message comes ahead of his April 13th – 14th visit, which is in support of the new POSSIBILITIES 2011 social change initiative that is being launched by 3 non-profit organisations: Children in Crossfire, SpunOut.ie, and Afri.
“It is my hope that POSSIBILITIES 2011 will open up a space of dialogue, action and reflection and strengthen the realisation that vast possibilities are available to the people of Ireland at this time” said the Tibetan spiritual and political leader.
During his visit, the Dalai Lama will deliver a talk entitled ‘A Call For Universal Responsibility’ at a major national Social Forum at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on April 13th, which also includes Mary Robinson, the popular Irish music group Kila and other yet to be announced very special guests. He will then visit Kildare, in partnership with the Solas Bhríde Centre, where he will speak on ‘The Spirituality of Compassion’, before concluding his visit on Thursday April 14th with a talk entitled ‘The Power of Forgiveness’ at the University of Limerick.
His visit, which is his 3rd to the Republic of Ireland (having visited in 1973 and 1991), follows a personal invitation from Derry man Richard Moore who the Dalai Lama describes as his personal hero. In 1972, aged 10, Richard was blinded by a rubber bullet and years later he befriended the soldier who shot him. He has gone on to become a leading advocate for children through his Children in Crossfire international development organisation, of which the Dalai Lama is patron.
According to Richard, the Dalai Lama represents the type of progressive leadership that is badly needed in Ireland right now:
“The Dalai Lama offers a deep wisdom to help us better understand and address the urgent and interconnected range of economic, social, political and environmental problems facing us today. He is someone respected by people from all walks of life, someone who can help us realise the real possibilities for change that exist in amongst all the tough times.”
More information on POSSIBILITIES 2011 and the Dalai Lama’s visit to Dublin, Kildare and Limerick, including ticket information, is available from www.possibilities.ie. Tickets go on sale for the POSSIBILITIES 2011 Social Forum tomorrow Wednesday February 2nd at 9am from Ticketmaster.ie and Ticketmaster outlets north and south.