TIBET FUND TO HONOR LODI G. GYARI
The Tibet Fund 2012 Gala – October 2, 2012

The Tibet Fund will honor Lodi G. Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at our third annual gala on October 2, 2012, hosted by Chef Eric Ripert in his private space, Les Salons Bernardin. Richard Gere and Carey Lowell will co-chair the Gala Benefit Committee and chefs Laurent Manrique of Millesime New York and Café de la Presse, San Francisco; Olivier Reginensi of Le Cirque; and Jeremy McMillan of the Bedford Post Inn will join Chef Ripert in his kitchen to prepare their signature dishes for the evening.

Lodi Gyari has served His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people for more than four decades as an activist, parliamentarian, civil servant and cabinet minister.  As the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lodi has led the long and arduous negotiations with the Chinese Government to gain autonomy and democratic freedoms for Tibetans in Tibet.  As the Executive Chairman of the Board of the International Campaign for Tibet, his skillful diplomacy resulted in the US policy shift in Tibet's favor when the American government introduced the Tibet Policy Act.  ICT also garnered the support of Congress that led to key legislation, including congressional appropriations for the Tibetan Scholarship Program and the Humanitarian Assistance Program that The Tibet Fund has administered for over 22 years.  For several years, Lodi also served as a leading member of the Tibet Fund's Board of Directors, bringing his expert approach and wisdom to guide our organization. 

For further information about the Gala, please contact:
Norena Barbella at 212-875-0070 or Tibet Fund at 212-213-5011.