Washington DC: At the invitation of Consul General of the Kingdom of Netherlands, San Francisco, Representative Ngodup Tsering virtually attended Michael Van Walt’s knighthood ceremony on 29 October. The event was held at the San Francisco Consulate.
Representative Tsering addressed the gathering by stating, “It is a great joy and honor to attend the ceremony of bestowing special honor to Tibet’s long time friend, Michael van Walt.” He further added, “Michael was involved with the cause of Tibet as early as the early 1970s when the world knew little about Tibet and His Holiness.”
Representative Tsering congratulated Michael on behalf of His Holiness and the Central Tibetan Administration for being one of the most steadfast friends of His Holiness and Tibet.
Michael’s book “The Status of Tibet” became a standard reference on the historical and political conditions in Tibet under international law—an enormous contribution and eternal help to Tibet.
The Consul General spoke about the citation of honor that was conferred upon Michael and mentioned how His Holiness’s nomination impacted the decision of His Majesty’s Government of Netherlands. The General Counsel then presented Michal the medallion.
Michael thanked all participants of the ceremony. Micahel spoke how he was involved with the issue of Tibet when he was barely 11 years. It was His Holiness who advised him to help the people through a teaching profession which led to his present trajectory, a trajectory that gave him the vision to establish the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and Kreddha, two international organizations that advocate for marginalised nations and peoples worldwide.
-Filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
