Dalai Lama will accept the International Freedom Conductor Award (IFCA) in Cincinnati, Ohio

By Bijender Sharma
DHARMSHALA---The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will accept the International Freedom Conductor Award (IFCA) in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River, the Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits to educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish universal freedom in both the U.S. and around the world.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his unstinting advocacy of freedom for his native Tibet, will be honoured at a lunch at the Duke Energy Center on 20 October, said Freedom Center CEO & President, Donald W. Murphy.

"We are tremendously honoured and gratified that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, will accept our Freedom Conductor Award, which goes to individuals and organisations that have been conspicuous and effective champions of freedom. The Dalai Lama's tireless efforts on behalf of Tibet -- and his life-long advocacy of freedom and peace for all people -- are in the finest traditions of those abolitionists who fought for the eradication of slavery in the 18th and 19th Centuries," Murphy said.

Civil Rights pioneer, Rosa Parks, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush for their work to raise money for survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the South Asian tsunami, have also been honoured with the award.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama will receive the IFCA honor, speak and answer audience questions at a luncheon event at the Duke Energy Center. Additional details about arrangements, tickets, etc., will be released later," Murphy said.

In 1989 His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle to resolve issue of Tibet. His Holiness has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognised for his concern for global environmental problems.

Since 1959 His Holiness has received more than 100 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books.