2011 EDINBURGH INTER FAITH ASSOCIATION            ANNUAL LECTURE AND CIVIC RECEPTION
Dalai Lama representative to give EIFA ‘Gandhi Day’ lecture
Sunday 2nd October 2011 – 3.30pm City Chamber

The 2011 EIFA Annual Lecture is being held on ‘Gandhi Day’ which is also known as The U.N. International Day of Nonviolence. This year’s talk will be given by Mr Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness The Dalai Lama for Northern Europe and the Baltic States based in London. Thubten Samdup is also the Chairman of The Dalai Lama Foundation of Canada which is an International Organisation for Peace and Ethics.

Among many achievements, Mr Samdup was presented in October 2005 with the Unsung Hero of Compassion Award, an honour that was bestowed in San Francisco by the Dalai Lama himself.

Mr Samdup has said: ‘Knowledge must be informed by wisdom—an ethical base that goes beyond self-interest. I truly believe that the basic principles for ethical living as promoted in the teachings of the Dalai Lama will find resonance with individuals and their communities. Ultimately this approach will contribute more concretely towards changing societies from within."

Thubten Samdup will speak on the importance His Holiness The Dalai Lama attaches on the promotion of religious harmony and the responsibility that leaders of different faiths must take in these troubled times.

Victor Spence, General Secretary of The Edinburgh Inter Faith Association said: ‘This year’s annual lecture will also be our ‘Gandhi Day’ event. It is fitting for Thubten Samdup as a Representative of His Holiness The Dalai Lama to be give the lecture on this particular day.’

The Annual Lecture will be followed at 5pm by a Civic Reception hosted by The Lord Provost of The City of Edinburgh.

Rabbis Davis Rose, Co-Convener of The Edinburgh Inter Faith Association said: ‘We look forward to welcoming Thubten Samdup to Edinburgh and to hearing him speak on the promotion of interreligious harmony. On behalf of EIFA I would also like to thanks the Lord Provost for honouring us with a Civic Reception at the City Chambers.’

For tickets and invitations please email Vicky MacDonald at vicky@eifa.org.uk  

Sunday 2nd October
EIFA 2011 Annual Lecture, at 3.30pm
Main Chamber, City Chambers

Followed by Civic Reception at 5pm
European Room, City Chambers