The Dalai Lama said he was encouraged by opposition to war

The exiled Tibetan leader, currently on a tour of the UK, told a Westminster audience there were wider issues and "change must come from the grass roots".

He spoke of his optimism over the situation in China, but said the people of Tibet still needed help.

Prince Charles, who hosted a reception for the Dalai Lama on Thursday, and the Duchess of York were among the audience.

He stressed the importance of education, saying "change must come from the grass roots".

"I think positive change or evolution on a global scale will not come through UN resolution or summits of leaders," the Dalai Lama said.

He spoke of the need for greater compassion and said children should be taught to use dialogue to solve problems.

Royal encounter

The Nobel Peace Prize winner added that opposition to the Iraq war had been a "positive sign of change in people's views about war".

The 68-year-old monk also mentioned a meeting he had in 1996 with the late Queen Mother.

"I asked her whether the world was becoming better. Without hesitation, she said: 'Oh, improving'."

Afterwards the Duchess of York said she had been "moved to tears" by the speech, which had been titled A Human Approach to World Peace.