Walker to meet with Dalai Lama next week

Dalai Lama scheduled to speak to state Assembly Tuesday

MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker will meet privately with the Dalai Lama during the Tibetan spiritual leader’s visit to Wisconsin next week.

Walker’s spokesman Tom Evenson confirmed the private meeting to The Associated Press on Thursday. The Dalai Lama is also scheduled to speak to the state Assembly for 45 minutes on Tuesday.

His visit next week marks the ninth time he’s come to Madison but the first time since Walker took over as governor in 2011.

His previous visit was in 2010, when Democrat Jim Doyle was governor.

The Dalai Lama will be in Madison for a series of panel discussions at the University of Wisconsin as part of the “Change Your Mind Change the World” conference. He is also giving a public speech in Madison on Wednesday.