Geneva, 26 August 1997 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal head of the six million Tibetan people, will visit Italy from 8 to 12 September this year at the invitation of the Government of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol, the University of Trieste-Gorizia and the regional authorities, institutions and organisations of Trieste and Gorizia.

As the official guest of the Autonomous Government of South Tyrol from 8 to 11 September, His Holiness will be received by Dr. Durnwalder, the President of the autonomous government. The government in South Tyrol will brief the Tibetan leader about the unique autonomy status of this Italian region where German is one of the official languages. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr. Durnwalder are also expected to discuss future co-operation between South Tyrol authorities and the Tibetan Government in Exile.

During the three-day visit to Bozen (capital of South Tyrol), His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give a public talk on 9 September on the topic, "Compassion and Global Responsibility"; meet with political and religious leaders; and visit the famous Neuslift Monastery. On the afternoon of 8 September, the Tibetan leader will give a brief press conference with President Durnwalder.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will then visit Trieste and Gorizia regions of Italy at the invitation of the University of Tireste-Gorizia to receive an Honorary Degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences on 11 September.

During this part of the visit, His Holiness will be conferred the Honorary Citizenship of the city of Gorizia at the 1,000 years old Gorizia Castle on 11 September and later attend an Interfaith Service in the city with the Archbishop of Trieste, Rabbi of Trieste, Greek Orthodox Priest, Serbian Orthodox Priest. After this religious service, Liceo Linguisuco Europeo School of Gorizia will announce the decision to provide two scholarships for Tibetan students from India.

While in Trieste, the Tibetan leader will be received among others by the provincial government of Trieste, the autonomous government of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region and CISL, one of the largest trade unions of Italy. On 12 September, His Holiness will also address a public conference on "Peace, Solidarity, Non-violence and Human Rights" organised by Associazione Nazionale Oltre le Frontiere.

His Holiness will conclude this Italian visit on 12 September with a visit to the International Institute for Human Rights Studies in Trieste where He will make a short address on the issue of "religious freedom and refugee life." After the address, His Holiness will join Mr. Gerin, director of the Institute at a press conference. The Institute will announce its decision to adopt Tibetan political prisoner Tanak Jigme Sangpo who is now serving 28 years prison at Drapchi prison in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. His Holiness the Dalai Lama last visited Italy in May 1996.

Issued by Tibetan Bureau, Geneva, SWITZERLAND

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