Contact is taking a holiday!

432 delegates from 26 different countries attended the Second Special Meeting of Tibetans, held at Upper TCV in Dharamsala

As the monsoon rains bid farewell to Dharamsala, a gathering of over 400 Tibetan representatives from around the world convened at Upper TCV for the Second Special Meeting of Tibetans. These meetings were begun in 2008, with the first convened by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in response to the Chinese crackdown on protests in Lhasa during the Beijing Olympics. They are meant to address pressing issues within the global Tibetan community, and to provide a venue through which to resolve conflict and reach consensus on future policies.

This year’s conference took place from 25-28 September, and was attended by present and past members of the Kashag, present and former members of Tibetan Parliament, and representatives from South Asia and Tibetan associations in Europe, North America, and Asia.

The main topic on this year’s agenda was the ongoing crisis in Tibet and how the global Tibetan community should respond to it. With more than 50 self-immolations in a period of three years, the delegates were tasked with finding ways to garner further international support for the Tibetan cause in ways that are “peaceful, legal, and dignified,” – all the while taking into account Tibet’s geopolitical importance on the world stage. Additionally, the delegates will look for ways to reach out to the growing Buddhist population in China in order to seek their help in reaching a solution.

The Kalon Tripa with Speaker Penpa Tsering and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel at the opening ceremony on 25 September

Tibetan political leader, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, stated his views on the Meeting in an agenda he set out for this year’s conference. “If every Tibetan asserts and participates in the movement with determination, dedication and due diligence, combined with unflinching unity, sound planning and discipline on non-violence, the Tibetan movement can be as strong, sustainable and successful as many other movements. If the environment and timing are right, we shall overcome, one day soon!!! I am looking forward to more ideas, and substantive dialogue in the Special Meeting. This year in Dharamsala, next year in Lhasa!”