His Holiness’ representative for Americas speaks over teleconference[Wednesday, 29 September 2010, 5:26 p.m.]
New York:
The Office of Tibet in New York conducted its second teleconference on
the evening of 27 September, during which His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Representative Lobsang Nyandak Zayul interacted with the Tibetans
residing in the US.The objectives of holding the teleconference
is to help the general public to get better understanding of how the
Office of Tibet is working and to give their suggestions and feedbacks.During
the conference, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative spoke on
issues discussed during the first teleconference held in April this
year. He informed the participants that Tibetan children
studying in the US have improved their knowledge of Tibetan language,
awareness of Tibetan community in exile and better understanding of
their traditions and culture during their summer camp at the Tibetan
Children’s Village School in Dharamsala. Even the individual students
and parents alike felt very satisfied, he added.He spoke about
important events organised by the Office of Tibet in New York during
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit in May this year, such as meeting
of Chinese and Tibetan students and an interactive talk by His Holiness
to a group of over 70 Chinese scholars. He said efforts made
by the Office of Tibet such as organising inspection visits by Chinese
journalists and writers to Dharamsala are very fruitful in reaching out
to the Chinese people.The representative said preparation for
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit in October this year and the
election of Kalon Tripa and members of Tibetan Parliament are the
priority of Office of Tibet. He said due to concerted efforts by all
concerned staff, voter registration was completed on time and over
5,900 people have registered this time which is highest as compared to
previous years.Other important works of the Office of Tibet in
October include preparation for the international conference on Tibetan
Buddhism scheduled during October visit of His Holiness, meeting
between His Holiness and California-based Chinese students and
intellectuals at Stanford University and His Holiness’ interaction with
Chinese friends in Canada, he said.He said the office is
working towards cementing ties with the people of Himalayan region
through meeting with executive members of their associations based in
the US.He said plans are afoot to organise a training in 2011
to educate Tibetan youths and students living in North America about
the current situation inside Tibet and about Tibetan religion and
culture.Praising the office of Tibet for their good works, the
participants of teleconference said since the US is most visited
country by His Holiness, the security arrangement during the visits
were very good and urged the office to constantly remind the concerned
US government offices in future to pay greater attention on the
security preparedness. The participants also called on the
office of Tibet to conduct workshops on Tibetan history, Buddhism and
Tibetan songs and dances during the time of three-month summer vacation
to educate the Tibetan youngsters in learning Tibetan language. If the
parents wish to send their children to TCV schools in India, it would
be very helpful if the office of Tibet take up matter with the school
administration, the participants added.Responding to some of
the proposals received during the first teleconference, the
representative said the office of Tibet have designated one staff to
work with 30 Tibetan associations and Green Book related works under
their jurisdiction.The seven participants of the teleconference
were Kasur Pema Choejor, Kasur Seopa Gyatso, Lobsang Jinpa, former
secretary to His Holiness, Thupten Jinpa, translator to His Holiness,
Tsering Norzom, former member of Parliament, Lobsang Sangay, legal
scholar and Youdon Dhonden. Except Thupten Jinpa, Lobsang Sangay and
Youdon Dhonden who were not in the town, other participants took part
in the second conference. The joint secretaries at the office of Tibet
in New York, Kunga Tashi and Tenzin Dickyi also joined the conference.
