Look To The Stars News: Dalai Lama

Angelina Jolie Awarded At Cinema For Peace Gala In Berlin

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:20:00 +0000

“10 Years of Cinema For Peace” was the theme of the Cinema for Peace Gala on February 13 at Berlin’s famous Gendarmenmarkt Concert Hall under the patronage of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, featuring guests of honor Angelina Jolie and Bob Geldof.

For the last ten years, Cinema for Peace has been supporting the fight for human rights, social justice, humanitarian missions, and environmental protection through captivating social film expression. Recognized as one of the world’s most important film events, the Cinema for Peace gala now has partner events in both New York City and Los Angeles, with many projects funded by generous sponsors and private donations.

This year’s Cinema for Peace gala focused on Bosnia and Burma through Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut “In the Land of Blood and Honey”, which was presented with a special Award for Opposing War and Genocide. In November 2011, the Cinema for Peace Foundation opened an office in Sarajevo in Bosnia Herzegovina, as recognition of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, which is the primary focus of the foundation. The foundation hopes to conduct over 10,000 interviews with witnesses and survivors of the massacre in order to bring clarity to the horrific event. The interviews will be made available in an online library and eventually the subject of documentary. Students, scientists and non-government organizations will provide detailed insight regarding the event of the massacre in Srebrenica during the war in former Yugoslavia. The international criminal court for former Yugoslavia has placed 161 accused war criminals before the court.

New Film Rooted In Peace

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Documentary filmmaker Greg Reitman urges us in his newest film project ROOTED in PEACE to take notice and ask ourselves: How do I want to live? Along his film production journey, the film team will be coordinating tree drives with the charity One Tree At A Time to plant one million ‘trees of life’ and aligning with Frendo’s fee-free platform for giving in an effort to end the vicious cycle of war and violence and promote world peace.

This comes at a perfect time being that September 21st is International Day of Peace.

Frendo is the first-ever fee-free donation platform for donors, fundraisers and charities that eliminates all fees to charities so every penny donated ends up in the pocket of the charity and not in the pockets of credit card companies and online merchants.

Richard Gere Takes Pilgrim To Korea For Charity

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Richard Gere is in Korea to support an exhibition of his photos in Seoul raising money for charities involved with the Tibetan human rights campaign.

The exhibition – titled Pilgrim – features around 60 images the actor took in Tibet and around Asia, as well as images taken by photographers interested in the cause. The collection has already toured 20 cities in 11 countries, and is in Korea until July 24.

“A lot of these photographs I didn’t show anyone because it’s such a private experience for me,” Gere told press during his six day visit to Korea. "I had no interest really in sharing them. [Taking photos] is very similar to making a movie; you’re somehow compressing lives into frame.

Dalai Lama Donates $100,000 To Charity In Australia

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Dalai Lama has announced a $100,000 donation to a charity while touring Australia.

The Dalai Lama and Les Twentyman. Photo via Facebook

Joan Jett Delivers Seal Hunt Letter To Norway

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Following the World Trade Organization’s decision to formally hear Norway’s and Canada’s case against the European Union’s ban on seal product imports, rock icon Joan Jett has personally delivered an urgent letter on PETA’s behalf to Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre calling on Norway to make the hearing and submissions open to the public.

Just one company in Norway purchases close to 80 percent of Canadian seal pelts, and this company has received funding for years from the Norwegian government. Jett joins Canadians Pamela Anderson and Sarah McLachlan in requesting that the hearing and submissions be made public.

“In the wake of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) decision to formally hear Norway and Canada’s case against the E.U.’s ban on seal imports, I urge you to please open up hearings to the public and make all submissions publicly available when they are filed,” writes Joan Jett. "Norway buys most seal pelts from Canada, then ships them for sale in countries that aren’t aware of the cruelty. Just one Norwegian company purchases close to 80 percent of the pelts. Norwegian citizens deserve to know that their government has provided significant financial assistance to this company for years, which indirectly helps prop up Canada’s cruel baby-seal slaughter. For a country so compassionate that it would ban fur from fashion shows, supporting Canada’s seal massacre just seems ridiculous.

Dalai Lama To Visit Christchurch Earthquake Victims

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:00:00 +0000

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed a desire to meet with families of Christchurch earthquake victims when he visits the New Zealand city next week.

Over 160 people died and many thousands lost their homes and livelihoods when the devastating quake hit the city in February. The Dalai Lama was one of the first world leaders and celebrities to send a message of support to the people of Christchurch through Prime Minister John Key.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader will visit Christchurch on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, and will hold a public lecture at the CBS Canterbury Arena ahead of a previously scheduled trip to Australia.

Amnesty International To Honor Dalai Lama

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Amnesty International USA is honored to present His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with the first-ever “Shine a Light on Human Rights” award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to social justice and human rights.

This special event will commemorate Amnesty International’s 50th Anniversary and will celebrate one of the most influential human rights figures today. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver a keynote address, which will be preceded by a welcome from Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA’s Executive Director.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California. Doors will open at 9:15 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 9:45 a.m. There will be FREE parking in Parking Lot #12 directly in front of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. For directions to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, click here.

Dalai Lama Sends Support To Christchurch Earthquake Victims

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:00:00 +0000

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the latest world leader to show support for victims of New Zealand’s devastating earthquake.

The Dalai Lama expressed his shock and sadness on hearing the news of a powerful earthquake that had once again struck Christchurch which he had fond memories of visiting in 1996. His Holiness expressed his deeply felt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the well-being of those who have been injured or lost their homes, with the hope that normal life is restored soon.

Anyone wishing to donate to victims can visit SalvationArmy.org.nz or RedCross.org.nz.

Dalai Lama To Speak In Ireland For Charity

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will hold a public lecture for charity in Ireland in April.

The event – which is in support of the new POSSIBILITIES 2011 social change initiative – takes place at the University of Limerick on April 14.

“We are extremely honoured to host this address and to welcome the Dalai Lama on to our campus at UL,” said University president Don Barry. "His Holiness is respected all over the world as a truly inspirational spiritual teacher whose energy, compassion and wisdom touch everyone he meets.

Nobel Peace Laureates Gather In Hiroshima For World Summit

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The 11th Edition of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates was held in Hiroshima on November 12th-14th, 2010.

The international conference was historic and groundbreaking in that it marked the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombings of two Japanese cities. In light of recent meetings between the United States and the Russian Federation to reduce each nation’s nuclear weapons arsenals and of the results of the recent U.N. Conference of New York, the Summit confronted the issue of nuclear disarmament and propose concrete measures to address this most pressing issue.

Chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev and Walter Veltroni, former Mayor of Rome, the event attracted Nobel Peace Laureates such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Fredrik Willem De Klerk, Lech Walesa, José Ramos- Horta, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Mohamed ElBaradei, Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams. Senior representatives of such international organizations as the United Nations (UN), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Children’s Found (UNICEF), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Pugwash Conferences (PUGWASH), International Peace Bureau (IPB), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International (AI) and many others also attended.

Dalai Lama Welcomes Release Of Aung San Suu Kyi

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:30:00 +0000

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has sent a special message of support to Aung San Suu Kyi following her release this week.

“I welcome the release of fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and extend my appreciation to the military regime in Burma,” he says. "I extend my full support and solidarity to the movement for democracy in Burma and take this opportunity to appeal to freedom-loving people all over the world to support such non-violent movements.

“I pray and hope that the government of the People’s Republic of China will release fellow Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and other prisoners of conscience who have been imprisoned for exercising their freedom of expression.”

Join Charlize Theron, The Dalai Lama And Richard Branson For Living Peace Talks

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Charlize Theron, Richard Branson and the Dalai Lama will take part in a special lecture series aimed at making the world healthy, sustainable and compassionate place.

Sponsored by UC Irvine and Center for Living Peace Orange County, the Living Peace Series will kick off on December 4 at the UCI Student Center with Charlize Theron, who will discuss the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project, which promotes safety and health among impoverished children and communities in South Africa – with a focus on those suffering from HIV/AIDS. There will also be a VIP event benefiting the outreach project.

Stars To Take Heart For India At Roof Gardens

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

This year’s Take Heart Ball will be taking place at Kensington’s Roof Gardens in London tonight, 1 October. The jungle fever themed fundraiser will again attract over 600 young socialites, including royalty, celebrities and budding entrepreneurs.

Guests at last year’s event included Princess Beatrice, Peaches Geldof and Sam Branson, son of Sir Richard Branson, who is also a key member of the Take Heart Charity Committee. This year the Roof Gardens will be transformed into an urban jungle: affluent Tarzans and glamorous Janes partying into the wee hours, the flash of wild animal print passing through the dark jungle foliage, off to claim their prey at the nearest bar.

Charity Director and event organizer, Lucian Tarnowski, describes Take Heart as “a youth-focused, young charity that has a loyal supporters group of future business leaders.” Take Heart, a purely voluntary charity, directs 100% of its proceeds into providing valuable I.T. training to blind students in rural India, enabling them to get jobs and support themselves, without having to beg. Money made from previous balls has helped build a school, which has now helped several thousand able-bodied students and hundreds of blind students gain a job for life with their new found IT skills. Again, all proceeds from this year’s Ball will go into the next stage of the school’s development.

Yoko Ono Supports Call For Oneness Day

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Yoko Ono is calling on people to sign a petition that asks the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day.

The petition has already been signed by Desmond Tutu, Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama, and Ono has called it “Potentially the most important petition ever launched . . . toward a New Spirituality, a new humanity, a new earth.”

Humanity’s Team – a spiritual movement whose purpose is to communicate and implement the belief that we are all one, one with God and one with life, in a shared global state of being, so that the behavior of humanity may shift to reflect this understanding – is collecting 50,000 signatures to “persuade the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, a day set aside and embraced by individuals, communities and nations for humanity to celebrate, discuss and experience our commonality, while still acknowledging and respecting our beautiful cultural diversities…a day to unite in Oneness for the greater good of the Human Family.”

Animated Frog Helps Raise Awareness Of Rainforests

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:30:00 +0000

London’s Picadilly Circus came alive last week when its iconic Coca Cola and McDonalds signs burst into life with the appearance of a new animated rainforest frog. St Trinian’s star Talulah Riley was on hand to launch the new initiative, which is part of an ongoing campaign for the Prince’s Rainforests Project.

The McDonald’s sign gives members of the public the chance to interact with the breathing frog, allowing them to be photographed in front of the screens with the frog seemingly on their hand, head or shoulder, in keeping with the PRP campaign video.

Robert F Kennedy Center Launches Charity Auction For Human Rights

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:30:00 +0000

An exciting new charity auction has been launched featuring an unbelievable number of celebrity experiences.

Ever want to meet Oprah Winfrey? Hop in the pool for a swim lesson from Michael Phelps. Get fashion advice from Project Runway’s Tim Gunn over lunch at Bryant Park Grill? Learn the arts of comedy and paper sales from Steve Carell on the set of the Office. How about talking politics with the most powerful woman in Washington, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, during a tour of the U.S. Capitol or crossing the aisle to discuss backyard BBQ recipes and foreign policy with Senator John McCain? See Iron Chef Bobby Flay in action at Kitchen Stadium? Make your Hollywood debut in Ridley Scott’s new “Robinhood” film, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Seek enlightenment and meet Richard Gere with VIP tickets during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2010 trip to NYC. Or ride in a pace car at the Indy 500 and party with track chairman, Mari George.

Supporters of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights have put together these experiences and much more for their Annual Online Auction. With the help of CharityBuzz, the online auction will raise funds supporting the RFK Center’s human rights work. The auction is open now and runs until December May 28th with new lots continuing to be added each and every day.

Prince Charles Joins Kermit And Friends For The Rainforests

Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Prince Charles has launched a new online video to promote the protection of rainforests, and he has called on some of his celebrity friends to help.

The 90-second video features appearances by Harrison Ford, Prince William and Prince Harry, Robin Williams, Daniel Craig, Kermit The Frog, Joss Stone, footballer Pelé and the Dalai Lama. Each star in the film talks of their support for the halting of tropical rainforest deforestation, and is joined on-camera by an animated Argentinean Horned Frog, a symbol of the rainforest.

“One of the Internet’s strengths is that it can enable diverse communities to come together to ensure that everybody’s views and actions can really be made to count,” Prince Charles said in a webcast to launch the video. “Our aim, with your help, is to build an online community to call, from the bottom up, for urgent action to protect the rainforests, without which we will most certainly lose the battle against catastrophic climate change.”

Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Head Back To The Charity Poker Table

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are heading back to the poker table to raise money for charity.

The Cannes Charity Poker event, which is being sponsored by 888.com, will coincide with the Cannes Film Festival and is being held to raise money for Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s charities – Not On Our Watch in aid of the children in the Darfur region, and One Voice For Freedom, the children’s anti-slavery charity whose patrons include Michael Caine, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

The Cannes Charity Poker event is a privately run affair and the final 60 places will have been vetted by the organizers in an attempt to attract only the very top ‘A’ list celebrities.

Joanna Lumley Shows Support For Nepal And Tibet

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Last September, Look to the Stars brought you a story about Joanna Lumley’s support of hundreds of elderly Nepalese Gurkhas seeking to retire in Britain. The actress is now slamming the British government for failing to honor a court ruling allowing the veterans the right to remain in the country.

The Gurkhas are part of a famous regiment of Nepalese soldiers that has fought for Britain since 1815, most recently in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia. Although they have fought and died for Britain, a court ruling means those who retired before 1997 have no automatic right to live in Britain. All other foreign soldiers in the British Army can settle in Britain after four years’ service anywhere in the world. The Gurkhas won a ruling at the High Court in London in October that allowed up to 2,000 of them to stay in Britain, but the U.K. government has so far failed to honour the ruling, and Lumley has launched a new legal campaign to see justice done.

“It is disgraceful that our democratic Government has refused to listen to the will of the people,” she said on Tuesday. “The ruling last year was clear and the way that successive governments have treated Gurkhas who retired before 1997 is truly offensive and a stain on our national character. These are men who have served in the British Army, sometimes for 20 years and more, and some have won our country’s highest honours for valour and service.”

Stars Join PETA Founder For New Book

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A new book by the founder of PETA features contributions from a host of celebrities, such as Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, and Kevin Bacon.

One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World was written by Ingrid Newkirk as a guide for readers seeking to make the world a better place. Newkirk has collected contributions from more than 50 activists and world-changers who have proven that one person can create a movement.

Also featuring in the book are essays written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Moby, and Petra Nemcova.

Peace Day Concert 2008 To Rock London

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:30:00 +0000

After last year’s sell out show, the annual Peace One Day concert is set to rock the Royal Albert Hall in London.

World Peace Day has been held on September 21 annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization – Peace One Day – in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

This year’s concert will see performances from Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, and a guest appearance from Jude Law. There will also be a gala screening of The Day After Peace, the acclaimed new documentary film made by Jeremy Gilley. The film, which received a great reception at its premiere during the 61st Cannes Film Festival, features Kofi Annan, The Dalai Lama, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Annie Lennox and Jonny Lee Miller.

Stars Sing Songs For Tibet

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Sting, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, and Alanis Morissette are just some of the artists who are donating songs to a new album to raise awareness for the International Campaign for Tibet.

Due for release on iTunes on August 5 and through other retailers on August 12, the album – called Songs For Tibet – will hit the airwaves just three days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics.

“This album will focus people’s attention on the importance of Tibet, the gifts of its culture, and the crisis the Tibetan people are facing today,” said Michael Wohl, from the Art of Peace Foundation. “We wanted to express our support for the Tibetan people and their message of peace through music – a fundamental means of expression – at a time when the eyes of the world are on China.”

Joanna Lumley Wants China Out Of Tibet

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:00:55 +0000

British actress Joanna Lumley, peacefully campaigning for a free Tibet, is having a hard time getting heard.

Born in Kashmir, Lumley was deeply touched by the plight of Tibetans making the perilous journey across the mountains into India and meeting the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala when he spoke to the newly arrived refugees. Today, she’s a spokesperson for the Free Tibet movement.

“There are people in the most ghastly straits in that country,” said Lumley. “The suffering there is indescribably dreadful and it’s been going on for so long that we’ve deafened our ears. It’s called Tibet. If it was part of China, it would be called China.”

Jackie Chan Urges For A Peaceful Olympics

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:19:50 +0000

Jackie Chan has come out fighting for the Olympics – despite the current protests occuring around the world as the Olympic Torch makes its way to Beijing.

The 54-year-old star of over 100 action films believes the Games should be used as a platform for peace – not politics – and should represent “unity and love” to heal the problems of the world. The UNICEF and UNAIDS Ambassador is a strong believer in philanthropy and goodwill, and although he can understand the protestors’ desire to be heard, he is disappointed with the way they are doing it.

“They wish to find an outlet to voice their opinions, but I don’t think they should use the Olympics to do so,” said Chan after arriving in Beijing with Jet Li for the world premiere of The Forgotten Kingdom yesterday. “I hope people do not mix sports with politics. This is wrong. I don’t understand why people would want to destroy the Olympics.”

Clooney And Cheadle Receive Peace Award

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:12:43 +0000

Actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle have been presented with a prestigious award for their efforts to help civilians caught up in the conflict in Darfur at a function in Rome.

The ceremony marked the opening of an annual meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, organized by Mikhail Gorbachev and attended by dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama.

“Don and I… stand here as failures,” said Clooney at a press conference following the presentation of the Peace Summit Award. “The simple truth is that, when it comes to the atrocities in Darfur, those people are no better off now than they were years ago. The murders continue, the rapes continue, and some two and a half million refugees are yet to go home.”