The Dalai Lama will today address a conference in Derry to highlight the effects of war on young people. The conference, marking the 10th anniversary of the Children In Crossfire charity based in Derry, will be attended by more than 1,000 young people from more than 20 countries.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. It is the second time the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner has visited Derry.
Richard Moore, the director of Children In Crossfire, was blinded when he was hit by a rubber bullet fired at him by a British soldier in Derry in 1972.
He said the two-day conference would put the issues of children at the forefront of people's minds.
He said he had kept in touch with the Dalai Lama since he met him in Derry seven years ago. "I wrote to him last year and told him there was no one else on the planet whom I wanted at the conference and I was delighted when he agreed.
"He appreciates the difficulties and the importance of a country coming out of a conflict situation and about the impact conflicts have on children. His commitment to the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness and tolerance makes him an ideal choice . . . to celebrate our 10th anniversary."
Mr Moore added: "His attendance will put the needs of children on an international stage and raise awareness of children's rights both locally and globally."