About the Foundation

The Dalai Lama visited The Netherlands in May 2014 at the invitation of the Foundation for the Visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Stichting Bezoek Zijne Heiligheid Dalai Lama). The foundation consists of representatives from all the Tibetan Buddhist Schools in the Netherlands and from the International Campaign for Tibet Europe.

The foundation’s board members receive no remuneration and the organisational tasks are carried out by highly qualified volunteers. The main objective during the organisation of this visit is to give as many people as possible the opportunity to be inspired by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The foundation was established in 1999 for the purpose of organising the Dalai Lama’s visit to The Netherlands that year. The foundation also organised His Holiness’ visit to The Netherlands in 2009 and 2014. The foundation has not engaged in any activities in the intervening years.

Tax Status Charitable Organisations (ANBI)
The Foundation for the Visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is registered with the tax authorities as a charitable organisation (ANBI). Any donations are mostly 100% tax deductible.

The information that, since 2014, every charitable organisation is legally required to publish on their website is set out clearly and concisely below.

Name: Foundation for the Visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Tax identification number: 8123 30 511
Contact details: p/a Paula de Wijs, Chair. 

Board (structure and members):
Chair: Paula de Wijs
Secretary: Annemiek Boeters
Treasurer: Marco Werre
Board member: Sander Tideman, Reinier Tilanus, Tsering Jampa, Charles Steur, Nicoline Geyer
Renumeration policy: all board members are unpaid volunteers.

Objectives (Statutes):
The implementation and organisation of visits to The Netherlands by His Holiness the Dalai Lama;
the dissemination of awareness about His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet and Buddhism and everything that is directly or indirectly connected with, or could be of advantage to, the aforementioned in its broadest sense.

Our activities in 2014
The Dalai Lama’s previous visit to The Netherlands was in May 2014. At the conclusion of this visit the Dalai Lama was invited to visit The Netherlands again in the future, and he has informed us that he is wishes to do so. The visit will be organised in such a way that as many people as possible are given the opportunity to be inspired by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Everywhere he goes, His Holiness emphasizes the importance of ethical behaviour as the answer to the most important problems of the present time, including small and large scale violence, the environment and the need for politicians, bankers and business people to act responsibly. For this reason, the subject of child and adult education was given extensive attention during His Holiness’ visit in 2014.

During this visit there were meetings with school children and teachers, as well as panel discussions and a seminar involving both Dutch and international experts in the field of instructing children and adults in (secular) ethics. In addition there were Buddhist teachings and a public talk, which were attended by more than 10,000 people.

Policy plan 2015-2018
As previously mentioned, at the conclusion of his visit in 2014 the Dalai Lama made it known that he wished to visit The Netherlands again. During the past, year the foundation has been making preparations for His Holiness’ coming visit in September 2018. Just as in 2014, this will be organised by highly qualified volunteers.

Financial review:
de jaarrekening van 2016-2017