The former first lady of France, Danielle Mitterrand; former British Envoy to Tibet, Hugh Richardson; and prominent Californian philanthropist, Richard Blum are the recipients of this year’s Light of Truth award of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). The Dalai Lama will present the awards at a ceremony on October 11 at the Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles.

The Light of Truth is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to the public understanding of Tibet and its current plight.

“The three international personalities being honored this year all have had considerable impact on the direction of world public opinion concerning the past, present and future of the Tibetan people,” said Lodi Gyari, Executive Chairman of the Board of ICT.

Mrs. Danielle Mitterrand has been an unwavering advocate of the human rights of the Tibetan people. She has utilized her good offices and international forums, including the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and the European Parliament, to draw attention to the human rights situation in Tibet and to encourage China to respect these rights.

Mr. Hugh Richardson served as the only Western diplomat in independent Tibet from 1936 to 1947. Thereafter, until 1950 he represented newly-independent India. Since his retirement Mr. Richardson has devoted his time in writing on Tibet and has become a leading authority on Tibetan religion, history, politics and social conditions. His book on Tibetan history was among the first of its kind in the West and continues to be an important reading for all students of Tibet.

Mr. Richard Blum has dedicated himself to the culture and wellbeing of the Himalayan people, including the Tibetans, for more than two decades and has worked to improve their lives. He established the American Himalayan Foundation to provide humanitarian assistance to these people.