University has change of heart on Dalai Lama visit

ABC 27 April 2013

The University of Sydney is set to host a lecture by the Dalai Lama in June, ending a dispute over whether he would be welcome on campus. In a statement, Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) Director John Keane said the university was looking forward to hosting the Tibetan spiritual leader at a lecture for students, reports ABC.

"The University of Sydney and IDHR remain firmly committed to the principle that academics are free to invite to our campus anyone who has a legitimate contribution to make to public debate," Professor Keane said. "It is hoped the mid-June event will form part of a determined commitment of the University of Sydney to develop a constructive dialogue on matters concerning Tibet and the wider region."

Campus authorities ticked off on the Dalai Lama's visit in January and the IDHR began to organise the event at the Seymour Centre. But an investigation by ABC revealed that the university, which has close links to China, had gone to great lengths to wash its hands of the iconic monk.
Full report on the ABC site

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