Mass Awareness Workshop on Middle-Way Approach Kicks off

Wednesday, 28 November 2007, 6:03 p.m.

A two-day workshop on mass awareness on the Middle-Way Approach organised by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) underway at staff mess, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala (photo: Sangjey kep)

While speaking to settlement officers from 37 Tibetan settlements, DIIR Secretary Jeshong Lobsang Tsultrim said, the workshop aims to further disseminating awareness on Tibet to the Indian community by the settlement officers in their respective settlements.

He said, the workshop will also focus on the measures to strengthen the relations between Indian and Tibetan community.

DIIR Secretary Mr Jeshong Lobsang Tsultrim giving the introductory address on the inaugural session of the workshop

He expressed gratitude to the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) for their constant support in providing financial support to the project on the awareness of Middle-Way Approach.

The three representatives from the NCA who are attending the workshop received standing ovation from the participants.

While speaking on the background and the meaning of the Middle-Way Approach, Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the Secretary for International Relations said, "The Middle-way Approach is the best possible method to resolve the issue of Tibet, safeguarding the vital interests of all concerned parties."

"It aims to protect and preserve the culture, religion and national identity of Tibet, safeguard the security and territorial integrity of China and peaceful borders and international relations," he added.

Secretary for International Relations, Mr Sonam N Dagpo addressing the gathering

He said, "Without seeking independence for Tibet, the Central Tibetan Administration strives for the creation of a political entity comprising the three traditional provinces of Tibet within the frameworks of the People's Republic of China."

Responding to a question on the sustainability of the Middle-Way Approach, he said, that as long as the leadership of His Holiness remains, there may not be any change in the policy of the Middle-Way Approach in resolving the issue of Tibet, adding that the CTA will continue to function within the framework of this policy.

Mr Dagpo will also give a briefing on the process and the current status of the dialogue between the Central Tibetan Administration and People's Republic of China.

Representatives from the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) attending the inaugural session

Additional Secretary Dawa Tsering will speak on the economic and political situations in Tibet.

On the second day of the workshop, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche will brief the gathering on the 11-point guidelines to be followed by all Tibetans issued by the Kashag.

A session on the methods of news reporting by Secretary Mr Thupten Samphel and strengthening Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society to develop good relations with local community by Tsering Dorjee, Coordinator of the India Tibet Coordination Office are also in the program.

This is last phase of the mass awareness workshops on Middle-way Approach, as DIIR has covered all the educational institutions, monasteries and settlements in India and Nepal since two last years.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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