TPPRC’s youth leadership workshop concludes successfully

Saturday, 16 June 2007, 1:41 a.m

Mr Pempa Tsering addressing the workshop (Photo Sangay Kep)

Dharamshala: Seventy-six Tibetan students from 18 different universities across India have congregated here at the Gangchen Kyishong to attend the Youth Leadership Workshop: Introducing the University Students to the Tibetan Democratic Polity and Policies, organised by the New Delhi-based Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre from 5-15 June 2007.

The main objective of this workshop was to groom Tibetan youth for their future responsibilities through interactive panel discussions with eminent people.

In his opening speech, the director of the Centre, Penpa Tsering, briefed the students on the administrative set-up and functions of the various organs of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari spoke on the evolution and development of Tibetan democracy, along with why the Tibetan youth must assume its responsibility towards the political and religious cause of Tibet.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari (Photo Sangay Kep)

Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, spoke on the importance of retaining traditional Tibetan values in order to preserve the Tibetan identity.

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche spoke on the policies of the Central Tibetan Administration, in addition to the current status of Sino-Tibetan dialogue. He also had a lengthy question-answer session with the students.

During the course of this workshop, spokesperson from all the departments introduced the functions of their respective departments. The students were also given a guided tour of all the various departments and offices of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Furthermore, MP Pema Jungney introduced the basic framework of the Tibetan Charter, while Education Kalon Thubten Lungrik briefed the students on the Basic Education Policy of Tibetans in exile.

On various issues related with the current situation of Tibet, students had interactive sessions with Dawa Tsering and Tashi Gyatso, both additional secretaries of the Department of Information and International Relations, in addition to Kunga Tashi, joint secretary of the Department of Security, and Dhondup Dolma, from the Environment Desk of the DIIR.

The two secretaries of the Department of Information and International Relations, Thupten Samphel and Sonam Norbu Dagpo briefed the students on the recent history of China and Issue of Tibet in the international Political Scenario.

During the workshop, the participants also had an opportunity to not only visit the Tibet Museum, various non-governmental organisations and institutions in and around here, but also participate in a panel discussion on the Role of NGOs and Responsibilities of the University Students in the Tibetan Movement, with the members of Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Associations, Gu- Chu- Sum, and the Students for a Free Tibet.

Mr. Penpa Tsering also gave a presentation on the concept of Autonomy and the Middle Way Approach, while various other Tibetan MPs, including Dawa Phunki, Dolma Tsering, Tenzin Gonpo and Kalsang Gyaltsen addressed the students on the Tibetan Movement.

The MPs elected from the religious constituencies, including Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug and Bon, also gave presentations on their respective schools of religion.

In addition to oral evaluation, Speaker Karma Chophel delivered the concluding remarks to the workshop.

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre is a joint project of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation and the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.

–Report filed by TPPRC