CADZAND, Netherlands: In collaboration with the Naropa Tibetan Buddhist Institute, the office of Tibet Brussels oraganized a four-day Tibetan educational retreat for the Tibetan youths in Belgium from 21-24 November, 2013. It was held at the Naropa Institute of late Lama Karta Rinpoche in Cadzand, the Netherlands. The four-day Tibetan Youth Retreat was inaugurated by the Special Representative Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen.
During these four-day retreat, talks and discussion were held on topics ranging from Tibetan Buddhism, daily rituals related to Buddhist spirituality, history and culture of Tibet, Tibetan dance and music to political affairs of Tibet.
The Special Representative Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen gave talks on the topic ‘Tibet Now and Prospects in Future’ on the first day and a talk on the topic ‘the Middle Way approach Policy and the dialogues with China’ on the second day.
Research scholar from Paris Mr. Chung Tsering gave talks on topic,Tibet before 1951; A Historical perspective, Tibetan Education System in exile and its challenges, 17 point Peace Agreement and Tibet post 1951and Life story of a renowned Tibetan yogi Drupthop Thangtong Gyalpo during the four-day retreat.
Ven. Motok Tulku Rinpoche gave extensive talk on different aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, its philosophies and practices.
Representative Mr. Ngodup Dorjee gave a detailed presentation on the topic Central Tibetan Administration; Democratisation Process, Structure and Role.
Mr. Tenzin Norbu, a resident of Brussels and a Tibetan dance and music enthusiast took classes in the evenings on Traditional Tibetan dance and music.
Ms. Tsering Jampa, Director of International Campaign for Tibet, Amsterdam gave a talk on Role of Tibet oriented NGOs in the International fora and the future scenario.
On 23 November, the Special invitee, honourable Kalon of the Department of Information and International Relations, Ms. Dicki Chhoyang gave a talk on the Importance of Youth Leadership and Middle Way Approach Policy to the participants.
During the four day retreat, documentaries; From Nomads to Nobody and Meltdown in Tibet by Michael Buckley and the burning Question; Why are Tibetans turning to self immolations by the Department of Information and International Relations were shown to the participants.
The resource persons and the participants took part in the retreat with great enthusiasm and called for such events to be held on annual basis not only for the Tibetan youths in Belgium but for the Tibetan youths across Europe for its potential benefits in preserving and propagating Tibetan religion and culture and also in inducing cohesiveness amongst the scattered Tibetan communities in Europe.
Report filed by: Office of Tibet, Brussels
