Karina Vigo, Eyewitness NewsNEWARK (WABC) -- The Dalai Lama is in Newark this weekend for a summit to end violence. The Peace Education Summit began on Friday with opening remarks by the religious leader. The event brought a crowd of more than 1,000 people to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark where it is taking place.
"The change in human society, the initiative, must start with the individual," said the Tibetan Buddhist who won a Noble Peace Prize in 1989.
Organizers are focusing on peacemaking as a way for individuals, communities and nations to resolve conflict."The 20th century was the century of bloodshed," said the Dalai Lama. "The 21st century should be the century of dialogue."
He also countered that despite America's problems he believes democracy to be the best structure for working toward peace.
The panel featured several other speakers, including Wilbert Rideau, an award - winning journalists and author who served more than 12 years on death row for a murder conviction, and Nobel laureates, American Jody Williams and Iranian-born Shirin Ebadi, who joined the Dalai Lama on stage.
Local community speakers have also been invited to speak at the event.
The conference is being organized by New York-based Tibet house U.S. and a foundation run by Drew Katz, a philanthropist and longtime supporter of anti-crime efforts in Newark.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a Democrat who has gained a national profile for his efforts to transform Newark into a national model of urban renewal, said Friday the city was honored to play host to the event.
Organizers are offering discounted entrance tickets to students, and scholarship tickets for the local young people.
Several eighth-graders from the Quitman Street Community School in Newark were chosen as volunteers to help direct people to the conference's different venues.
"I hope this really helps our community, because there's a lot of violence in the streets," said 14-year-old Eric Martinez of the Peace Summit. "To actually have this here in Newark - it's incredible."
The event continues Saturday and Sunday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more New Jersey News »new jersey, new jersey news
No comments:
Post a Comment