Dalai Lama opens 'peace summit' in Vancouver

The conference organized by the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education comes during part of his two-week visit to the United States and Canada.

He said the media needs to remind people that compassion and caring exist in the world as well as violence.

"The media too often sensationalizes the bad things, which spreads a view that for we human beings, human future is doomed," he told the audience.

Also making an appearance at the event are writer Eckhart Tolle, California's first lady Maria Shriver, activist Jody Williams, Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland, and others from the world of government, education and philanthropy.