His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative Speaks at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen [Saturday, 16 October 2010, 11:55 a.m.]

Members of the audience at Aberdeen University await talk by Representative Thubten Samdup. Photo by Linéa Heinonen

London:
Mr Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for
Northern Europe, gave a talk in Aberdeen, Scotland, on ‘Conflict
Resolution: the Tibetan Solution’ on Wednesday. The event was
hosted jointly by Tibet Support Group Grampian based in Aberdeen and
the University of Aberdeen Politics and International Relations
Society. The Tibet Support Group Grampian was formed in 1993 when His
Holiness was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of
Aberdeen.

Representative Thubten Samdup giving a talk on ‘Conflict Resolution – the Tibetan Solution’. Photo by Linéa Heinonen

The
subject of the talk was based on the Memorandum for Genuine Autonomy
for Tibet formulated by the Central Tibetan Administration, which
proposes a middle way between complete subjection and full independence
and is seen as a possible way out of many conflicts though out the
world. As such, it was thought to be particularly relevant to students
undertaking a degree in politics and international relations,
especially in the Scottish context, where a thriving Scottish
Parliament at Edinburgh maintains extensive autonomous powers within
the wider United Kingdom. The idea had, in fact, been initiated during
a meeting at the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for Tibet
earlier this year.The talk proved extremely popular with over
100 people filling the lecture hall, mostly students. The large turn
out spoke to the continuing importance of the Tibetan issue on the
world stage. Mr Samdup spoke at length regarding His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s work in negotiating a peaceful settlement of the issue
of Tibet with the Chinese government, and the importance of a speedy
resolution during the lifetime of His Holiness. The following day, in depth discussions were held between the representative and Tibet Support Group Grampian members.This
was a much valued visit to Aberdeen from the Representative of His
Holiness which owed much of its success to the decision to hold it
jointly between the university and the local Tibet support group.
Particular thanks go to the School of Social Science, who helped fund
the talk and the Politics and International Relations Society for
publicising the talk amongst the student body, the organisers said.–Report submitted by Tibet Support Group Grampian