Join us for a panel discussion on self-determination and human rights, with a focus on Tibet and Xinjiang. The discussion will be followed by the screening of Wisdom of Happiness (2024), a documentary featuring the 14th Dalai Lama and co-produced by Richard Gere.
For decades, Tibet has been a focal point of international concern over Statehood, cultural assimilation, and the erosion of fundamental freedoms. Recent developments in China’s ethnic policies have deepened these concerns, highlighting tensions between state-led visions of unity and the preservation of cultural and religious identity. In this context, the Dalai Lama’s reflections on compassion, ethics, and human dignity offer a powerful counterpoint, shaping global debates on justice, coexistence, and shared responsibility.
The event will open with a panel discussion exploring the broader political and legal questions surrounding „genuine autonomy“, minority protection, and international positioning, with a particular focus on Tibet and the situation of Uyghur communities. Bringing together scholars and experts, the discussion will examine the challenges facing minority communities in China and the role of international law and human rights frameworks.
The panel will be followed by the screening of Wisdom of Happiness (2024), which offers an intimate exploration of these themes through the Dalai Lama’s reflections on life, responsibility, and humanity’s shared future. Blending philosophical insight with personal reflection, the film invites audiences to consider how values such as compassion, dialogue, and moral responsibility can inform responses to political conflict, social division, and questions of cultural survival.
