CANBERRA: The third conference of National Federation of Tibetan Communities Association, Australia, was held in Canberra from 8-9 August. It was organised by the Office of Tibet based in Canberra, officially known as the Tibet Information Office.

The conference was inaugurated by Mr. Lhakpa Tshoko, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the office of Tibet. In his keynote address, he spoke about his office’s achievements and activities since assuming the role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative last year. He specifically outlined the office of Tibet’s efforts to reach out to the Australian government and members of parliament; its outreach campaign towards overseas Chinese intellectuals; its efforts on Tibet awareness in co-ordination with Tibet support groups, and co-ordination with the various Tibetan communities in Australia.

He highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s immense contribution and the essential leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration for the Tibetan struggle.

Representative Lhakpa Tshoko also lauded the efforts and initiatives of the Tibetan community associations in Australia towards the Tibetan movement. At the same time, he urged the Tibetan communities to maintain harmonious and exemplary behaviors.

Negen Gotsang, President of the National Federation of Tibetan Communities Association, Australia, in his speech, spoke about the federation’s efforts in the past two years. He particularly emphasised the need to uphold the Tibetan community’s pledge to His Holiness the Dalai Lama made during the long life prayer offering ceremony. He also condemned the detrimental activities of Dolgyal cult followers, which is causing a severe harm to Tibet’s political movement.

The discussions of the two-day conference dwelled on the resolutions passed in the previous conference, the annual reports of the various Tibetan communities, upcoming activities of the communities, the preservation of Tibet’s religion and culture in the host country, outreach to Chinese democracy activists and scholars, promotion of local Australian culture and ethics, legally challenge the condemnable acts of Dolgyal Cult followers, Tibetan voluntary fund, etc..

The National Federation of Tibetan Communities Association, Australia, was founded in the year 2010. The Federation meets every two years during which new council members are elected.