Brussels, 19 March: Hosted by MEP Leoluca Orlando, the Office of Tibet Brussels in association with Mind and Life Europe organised a conference titled “Compassion in Action: A Global Ethic of Care for Life” in the European Parliament to honour the legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The event brought together policymakers, scholars, and spiritual practitioners for a timely reflection on the role of compassion in shaping for a more sustainable and humane future. It highlighted His Holiness’ lifelong commitment to promoting universal responsibility, interdependence, and a culture of care that transcends political, cultural, and religious boundaries.

MEP Orlando in his welcoming remarks expressed his deep respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and recalled his time as the Mayor of Palermo when he was able to confer on His Holiness, the citizen of honour of his city in 2017. He further added, he was honoured to host this conference at a time when the world is in so much turmoil.

In her remarks, Rigzin Genkhang, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, expressed gratitude to MEP Orlando for and Mind and Life for their collaboration in bringing this extremely important event to life ensuring that the legacy of His Holiness rooted in compassion and his vision for a more just world is shared at the very heart of European democracy.

Representative Genkhang further noted that the event carries a particular significance because it is being held during the Year of Compassion in honour of His Holiness’ 90th birth anniversary.

Ms Amy Cohen Varela, Chairperson of Mind and Life Europe, recalled the foundational connection between Mind and Life and His Holiness. She highlighted how the Mind and Life from the initial 1987 dialogue organised by Francisco Varela and Adam Engle. This collaboration was built to bridge the “inner science” of the mind with the “outer science” of the material world.

Mr Carlo Luyckx, Vice-President of European Buddhist Union and President of Belgian Buddhist Union, also welcomed the conference. He emphasised the significance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision for peace and compassion.

Moderated by Mr Gabor Karsai, the conference was explicitly divided into five key areas with presentations and discussions led by various speakers reflecting His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong dedication to universal human values and global peace.

Secular ethics and encouraging interreligious harmony, with Dr Martijn van Beek, Common humanity and promoting fundamental human values with Dr Andreas Roepstorff, Contemplation and ecology: preserving Tibetan Buddhist Culture and environment with Geshe Tenzin Dhamchoe, Mind and Life: fostering dialogue between science and Buddhism with Dr Marieke van Vugt and Contemplative education: SEE Learning with Chiara Mascarello.

Speakers emphasised that compassion is not a passive sentiment but an active force, one that can inform decision-making, inspire collective action, and foster resilience in the face of complex crises. Several contributors underscored the importance of integrating scientific insight, contemplative practice, and policy innovation to cultivate systems that prioritise well-being for people and the planet alike.

The event also served as a platform for dialogue between different disciplines and traditions, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that has characterised the His Holiness Dalai Lama’s engagement with the global community. Attendees were encouraged to consider how institutions, including those at the European level, can embed a more holistic ethic of care into their frameworks and initiatives.

The conference was well attended, with a diverse audience reflecting the broad relevance of its theme. Participants explored how compassion can serve not only as a personal value but also as a guiding principle for public policy and global cooperation.

Concluding on a note of optimism, the conference reaffirmed that compassion when translated into action can be a transformative force in addressing the interconnected challenges of our time. It called for continued engagement across sectors to advance a global ethic rooted in empathy and responsibility.

The conference was followed by a reception, offering participants an opportunity to continue discussions in a more informal setting. The gathering facilitated meaningful exchanges, networking, and the strengthening of connections among attendees committed to advancing compassion-driven approaches in their respective fields.