The National Constitution Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania devoted to the US constitution and what it represents, announced Friday the 2015 Liberty Medal will be presented to the Dalai Lama in recognition of his advocacy for human rights worldwide.
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who will turn 80 next month, will be honoured at the 27th annual Liberty Medal award ceremony on October 26 at the National Constitution Center at the city's Independence National Historical Park.
"We are so pleased to announce the Dalai Lama as the recipient of the 2015 Liberty Medal," a post on the CTA's official website said quoting Center president & CEO Jeffrey Rosen. "In his advocacy for Tibetans and for human rights worldwide, the Dalai Lama has always emphasised the ideals of freedom, dialogue, and tolerance. For this reason he embodies the spirit of the Liberty Medal, which aims to honour men and women who strive to secure such blessings of liberty to people around the globe," he added.
The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Philadelphia just one month after the city hosts the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis in September.
{{/usCountry}}The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Philadelphia just one month after the city hosts the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis in September.
{{/usCountry}}The Liberty Medal was instituted in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States Constitution. It is an annual award that honours men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.
Previous Liberty Medal winners include Pakistani girls'rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali.