Preservation of Tibet's Environment Vital for Billions of Lives: Dalai Lama

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tibet.net
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama being received by the Mayor of Wroclaw at the airport in Poland on 22 September 2010

Wroclaw: Underscoring the significance of the preservation of Tibet's environment, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in Poland Wednesday that conservation of the Tibetan plateau with its glaciers and rivers is crucial for the survival of billions of people in the neigbouring Asian countries.

"It is not only important for six million men and women of Tibet, but the protection of the fragile environment of Tibet with its glaciers and rivers is vital for over one billion of human beings in different countries," His Holiness told a gathering of over 8,000 people in the Hall of People in Wroclaw.

His Holiness said the promotion of democratic values which is sadly lacking in China today would help in tackling corruption and achieving stability and peace between the two most populous nations in Asia.

His Holiness explained his three “life-long commitments” in terms of solidarity - (1) promotion of basic human values (2) promotion of religious harmony and (3) finding a mutually acceptable solution to resolve the issue of Tibet.

Earlier in his introductory address, Wroclaw city mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz described His Holiness the Dalai Lama "as a champion of freedom, love and compassion". Mr Dutkiewicz also requested His Holiness to “feel the touch of warm feelings and support of thousands of citizens of Wroclaw.” His Holiness answered that this experience was always a part of all of his visits in Poland.

His Holiness received standing ovation from the audience for his address.

Following his public address, His Holiness received members of Polish Parliamentary Group for Tibet who arrived from Warsaw to meet him.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of Polish Parliamentary Group for Tibet

His Holiness asked them to engage their Chinese counterparts not only with economic issues but also with basic democratic values like rule of law, freedom of speech and transparency, which would help PRC to gain international respect and trust, enabling it, as it rightly deserves, to play important, responsible role in this world.

Prior to his address at the Hall of People, His Holiness visited an exhibition commemorating the 30th anniversary solidarity movement which transformed first Poland, than Central and Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union and finally whole post cold war order. Among people waiting for His Holiness was a former bus driver – one of the people who started historical strike in Wroclaw in the year 1980. “What did you feel at that moment”, asked His Holiness. “Desperate urge to do something to change things for better”. “And anxiety?” “Yes, we all felt fear, but it just had to be done”.
 
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is a honourary citizen of Wroclaw, received warm welcome on his arrival in the city by mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz.