'There is no alternative to the peace process': Dalai Lama tells audience on visit to Derry

Image: NICCY

The Dalai Lama has told an audience in Derry that there is no alternative to the peace process in Northern Ireland and that both sides of the community should work together to achieve a better future.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was speaking on the second day of his two-day visit to the UK's 2013 City of Culture, where he also crossed the Foyle peace bridge, which links the largely unionist east Derry and the largely nationalist west Derry. 

'There is no other alternative to the peace process, there is no other choice - you have to work and live together so we should not act like animals,' he told the gathered media shortly before the symbolic crossing.

This afternoon, he is expected to give a talk at the charity Children in Crossfire’s ‘Culture of Compassion’ event, which will be followed by a short concert featuring Christy Moore.

Richard Moore, director of Crossfire said, 'We are thrilled to welcome His Holiness back to Derry/Londonderry. He came to the city six years ago as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations and has been a dedicated patron of the charity since that time.' 

'We are delighted that people from across Northern Ireland and beyond will have an opportunity to see and hear him speak during this City of Culture year', he added.

The Dalai Lama will depart Derry for Cambridge later, where he is expected to give a talk at the prestigious British university tomorrow.

Categories: Dalai Lama, Derry, Northern Ireland