His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns to Charles University ****************************************************************************************** * His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns to Charles University ****************************************************************************************** The Faculty of Arts of Charles University was graced once again by the presence of His Hol Lama and other experienced speakers, one of the highlights of the Societies in Transmissio taking place in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. Prestigious and experienced speakers touching on the topic of Human rights in East Asia, covering matters of religious inequali critical nature of liberal democracy with a focus on disparity in China. The debate was complemented by a range of informed speakers including Tomáš Halík, preside Christian Academy, an acclaimed sociologist and personal friend of the Dalai Lama, offerin perspective on matters in East Asia. Another outlook was given by Steven Gan, a chief edit most frequently read newspaper with a history of journalistic controversy. Also present wa Guangcheng, a lawyer and civil rights activist who has worked frequently on Human Rights i country, China. Each of the speakers had an opportunity to highlight and educate on the is an intimate crowd of academics, students and guests at the Faculty of Arts. The highly anticipated event started punctually, as the speakers appeared on the stage the respectfully stood and applauded, with all eyes on the guest of honour His Holiness the Da After a brief introduction on the topics, Tomáš Halík was invited to speak first to addres a European perspective. Speaking humbly, he explained the importance of human rights in mo result of the European renaissance and its rise to integrity as a result of modernised cul the philosophy of the question, and its relevance to the difference in culture, he exclaim was key to the notion of human rights. He quoted Thomas Jefferson, stating religious freed first freedom” emphasising the individual’s right to hold unrestrained belief, citing one modern democracy. Steven Gan was invited to speak next, with a greater focus on the question in East Asia. H experience in Malaysia provided an insightful view, in which he used two stories to expres and directly establish the point of the question. The importance of minority rights in a r was the overriding theme, using a wealth of examples from the region including Malaysia, T and Thailand to emphasise issues to be widespread throughout Asia. Wonderfully translated into English, Chen Guangcheng’s perspective was focused on the stat and liberties in China. With his hand strongly and supportively grasped by the Dalai Lama, the criticality of Democracy for human rights. Mentioning that democracy “cannot resolve e a simple way” however is integral to a free society and centres of power should be separat order to explain this visually, Guangcheng brandished garlic to the surprise of the audien emphasise the centres of power in a political structure as the cloves represent in the str As the final speaker to talk, His Holiness addressed the crowd by referring to his first v in 1973 and his deep affection for the Czech Republic, wisely explaining that the problem is not exclusive to Asia but relevant throughout the world. The core of the Dalai Lama’s i point was that a promotion of democracy is needed, with religious tolerance as a cornersto continued explaining that religious countries were experiencing a “moral crisis” and that of “secular ethics” with a respect for rights of religious people was slowly improving in stated that this was due to a lack of “moral principles”, and that as an individual retire responsibilities, raising awareness and emphasising transparency for all people is key to question. Despite the severity of issues and the serious tones of the discussion, the infectious pos Dalai Lama felt within the hall, typified by his joke telling nature and adorable laugh fo onto every face present. At the close the speakers were rapidly whisked away, with every member of the crowd on the with awe and appreciation. The continuous applause and rush to the front emphasised the si this unique opportunity to attend such a discussion, and the importance of the relevant ma world context. Sam Pepper is interested in meeting and discussing culture between people from other natio period in Prague. He also offers simple English lessons to other European students to gain By initially learning meeting people of other European cultures at his home University at comparing similarities and differences in European politics, popular culture and ways of l to write about subjects such as disparity in East Asia, European Union immigration and a E has shown him the value of being a European student in the Czech Republic.