Geneva: The Second Geneva Summit on Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy is being organised jointly by over 25 human rights groups from across the globe.

The Tibetan Women’s Association in Switzerland is one of the organisers of the two-day conference which started yesterday in Geneva. The conference features political dissidents and activists from Iran, China, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and Vietnam.

John Suarez of the Cuban democracy group, Directorio, opened the session. Recalling the spirit of the summit’s co-chairs, Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa, he urged human rights defenders to come together, brainstorm and collaborate.

Another Cuban dissident, Nestor Rodríguez Lobaina, has been barred by the Cuban government to attend the conference. “Yet, thanks to the mobilization of international organizations and civil society, you can contribute to making sure democracies fulfill their responsibility to humanity,” said Isabel Rochat, Conseil d’Etat of Geneva. “We may forgive but we will never forget. That is the best response to indifference.”

Speakers of the first panel titled “Rising Powers, Rising Rights Compliance? Case Study of China” included Ms. Rabi Kadeer, Uyghur activist, Ms. Phuntsog Nyidron, former Tibetan political prisoner and Mr.Yang Jianli, Chinese dissident who shared their personal stories of suffering and survival from brutal oppression of Chinese communist regime.

Called the “mother of the Uyghur nation,” Rebiya Kadeer spent six years in a Chinese prison after standing up to the authoritarian Chinese government. Her own sons are serving decade long sentences in China without due process. She also told that the case of a young Uyghur protester, whose wounded, lifeless body was anonymously returned to his family. The Chinese government has cut internet and telephone communications,” said Kadeer. Many other such cases exist and are not recorded.

Moderator Ambassador Alfred Moses underlined that “the repressive regime in China will not survive. Oppression cannot survive. “

The panel’s second speaker, Mr. Yang Jianli, said that he was locked in solitary confinement for five years after taking part in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. He pressed the importance of the Internet to push forward democracy in China. Mr. Jianli said, “The cost of censorship will outpace the cost of circumventing censorship. It will be impossible to maintain, China will not be able to control the will of a billion citizens.”

Ms. Phuntsok Nyidron, former political prisoner and the recipient of 1996 Reebok Human Rights Award said that she was given total of 17 years sentence. Her crimes were secretly recording songs with inmates in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in prison and saying “Long Live Dalai Lama and “Free Tibet”.

She further said that “I want to tell you what a day was like in a Chinese prison. My right hand was stretched over my right shoulder and a guard stood on a table and pulled me up by my handcuffs. Electric batons were put in my mouth, my fingers were poked by shoe sewing machine needles and cigarettes burned on my face. I was shocked with electric wires until I fell unconscious. The prison guard poured cold water to wake me up and tortured me again. That day, I was neither given a single drop of water nor food.”

She urged audiences to help protect and support rights of Tibetan people who have been struggling for their basic rights under brutal Chinese communist regime through non-violence.

According to organisers, over 800 participants had signed up to this conference from 50 countries. Yesterday’s conference was attended by over 200 people including some diplomats.

–Report filed by Tenzin Samphel, Office of Tibet, Geneva

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama lauded the unflinching courage and sincerity of Tibetans living inside Tibet in raising their voices for the cause of Tibet, which he described as an issue of truth and justice. (Click here to watch video)

His Holiness expressed deep appreciation for the long life prayer offerings presented to him by the Central Tibetan Administration and the people of Tibet out of common reverence, bond, sincerity, aspiration and hope.

We offer prayers to those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for Tibet under the repression of the Chinese government, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told a large Tibetan congregation at the main Buddhist temple here this morning. Thousands of Tibetans attended the official long life offering ceremony.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama prayed for the speedy recovery and long life of thousands of Tibetans who were wounded by brutal Chinese police beatings during the peaceful protests throughout Tibet since 10 March 2008.

The officials of Central Tibetan Administration wait in queue carrying auspicious offerings for His Holiness the Dalai Lama/Photo: Sangay Kyap/TibetNet

His Holiness expressed gratitude to Tibetans living inside Tibet for keeping up their sincerity and determination. His Holiness said though Tibetans are physically living under the repression of the Chinese government, but they are very much united in their hearts to struggle for their rights and truth of Tibet’s cause.

Describing the cultural heritage of Tibet as precious gem of the world, His Holiness told Tibetans to carefully study it in order to preserve the rich tradition. His Holiness also underlined that Tibetans must excel in both traditional Tibetan studies and modern education.

His Holiness told Tibetans who are living in free world not to squander their time and opportunities in taking the responsibility as Tibetans inside Tibet pin their hopes on them.

The long life offering ceremony was the part of official commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising against the repression and occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China, and the exile of the Tibetan government and its people to India from 10 March 2009 to 10 March 2010.

Dharamshala: A two-day deliberation on how to facilitate and empower Tibetan women to take full and active participation in social, political and economic and other administrative activities in the exile community started this morning at Gangchen Kyishong.

Around 40 women participants and representatives from departments and offices of the Central Tibetan Administration are taking part in the first-ever symposium on women empowerment from 4 – 5 March. It is an initiative of the Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) under the supervision of the Kashag and Department of Finance.

On 2 September 2008, the incumbent 13th Kashag laid down policy vision for the empowerment of Tibetan women in the diaspora. SARD has been initiating a series of programmes including trainings, discussions, workshops and counsellings to educate and encourage Tibetan women to take more proactive role at various administrative levels.

In his keynote address to the participants, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche said since the beginning of human civilization in Tibet, Tibetans in their entire history have not experienced problems such as gender inequality or gender oppression and exploitation. Particularly since the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, the importance of gender equality explained in Buddhist teachings have flourished in Tibet, and continue to do so even to this day, he added.

Kalon Tripa stressed that the “core objective of the women empowerment programme is not to demand rights for the women, but to invoke and activate the inherent power of womanhood”.

two-day symposium on Tibetan women's empowerment in Dharamsala on 4 March 2010

“The idea of Tibetan women empowerment is provide equal opportunity to women so that they do not lack behind in taking up their share of universal responsibility,” Kalon Tripa said.

Kalon Tripa presented the proportion of male and female participation in the Central Tibetan Administration and in various regional level institutions.

The total number of official civil servants is 464 out of which the male and female ratio is 309/155. Out of total of more than 700 staff working in Tibetan settlement offices in India and Nepal, the ratio is 446/274. The strength of women in the governing bodies of cooperative societies is low which is only 25 against 229 men. The figure is also at the low of 16 against 190 in Rawang Denpai Legul Tsokchung. Out of 206 local leaders (gyapon) only 24 are women.

Kalon Tripa said emphasis must be laid on efforts to increase the number of Tibetan women’s participation in the Tibetan parliament, local Tibetan assemblies, board of directors of cooperative societies, Rawang Denpai Legul Tsokchung and local leadership in Tibetan settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

He emphasised that there should be some tangible increase in the number of Tibetan women participation in these institutions within a span of next 10 years.

A group of panelists, including Dr Juile Thekkudan of Society for Participatory Research in Asia, Ms Dolkar Wangmo, counselor at the department of education and Ms Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, research and media officer at the Tibetan Women’s Association, will preside over a panel discussion.

Kasur Jetsun Pema, Kasur Rinchen Khando and Mr Jampel Choesang, Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of Public Service Commission were present at the inaugural session.

“Censorship … is the source of the problem,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in an interview with Reuters in Beverly Hills.

“The Chinese people have no opportunity to know our issue,” said the His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who advocates “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet within China.

“Once China becomes an open society — freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of information — all this unnecessary fear and doubt will reduce,” His Holiness said. “That’s the real answer for this problem.”

“Americans can help in this change,” His Holiness said, adding the lack of free information has helped the Chinese government portray him as a demon.

“Do I look like a demon?” His Holiness joked, holding his fingers beside his head to make horns.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who was to speak on behalf of Whole Child International, an organisation that works for orphans around the world, said Western search engines like Google were important such as the free flow of information within China. He noted they had ceded to pressure from the Communist government there to limit what users can see. Google last month threatened to pull out of China if the government did not agree to stop censoring its Chinese language service.

Larry King during an interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness started his second day in Los Angeles with a forty-five minute interview with Larry King on popular talk show – Larry King Live. King started off by asking about His Holiness’ meeting with President Obama and asked what His Holiness wanted from Obama. His Holiness answered that he stated his three main commitments: promotion of human values, promotion of religious harmony and the Tibetan issue.

His Holiness said he had “requested President Obama to urge the Chinese government for dialogue and contact with the Tibetans, and requested help, such as scholarships, for Tibetans in refugee communities as well as Tibetans in Tibet”.

Larry King asked His Holiness if America could maintain good relations with China while at the same time supporting Tibetan independence. His Holiness answered that “there was no contradiction in keeping good relations with China and supporting Tibet because they were not seeking independence but a genuine autonomy. Our concern is basic rights for the six million Tibetans inside Tibet”.

“Every Tibetan wants a modernised Tibet and to remain part of China can ensure this,” His Holiness added. His Holiness called his approach the Middle Way Approach and stressed, “Our approach is in the best interest of China”.

Highlight of Day’s Other Programmes

Earlier at 8:45 am His Holiness met with board members and staff of the Whole Child International. His Holiness held a brief informal question and answer session with sponsors of Whole Child International. There were around sixteen people including Cher and Chris Rock. They asked His Holiness’ opinions on topics ranging from leadership ethics to childcare to cultivation of inner peace. In his answers, His Holiness stressed that not just money but values such as freedom and free information were very important. His Holiness said: “In order to utilise human creativity properly, you need free information without censorship or restriction.”

Later in the afternoon His Holiness gave a public talk to almost 6,000 people on ‘Cultivating Compassion and Needs of Vulnerable Children’ at Gibson Amphitheater, Universal City.

The talk was organised by Whole Child International, and focused on cultivating compassion and inner peace. Renowned singer Sheryl Crow sang three songs.

In his address, His Holiness said the 20th century was a crucial century for human history. In the 20th century, people created wonderful technology and human society became very advanced in some ways but on the other hand, over 200 million people were killed in this century. “In ancient times,” His Holiness said, “destruction of your enemy meant victory for yourself.” Now it’s different; the destruction of your enemy is the destruction of yourself. His Holiness stated that therefore disarmament was very important. He made a distinction between two types of disarmament: external and internal. His Holiness said, “Without internal disarmament, change is not lasting. Therefore, cultivate compassion.”

His Holiness particularly emphasised the “role of education in developing compassion so that intellectual development is concurrent with moral development”. His Holiness urged that children should be taught the value of compassion when they are small. His Holiness said that Tibetan parents teach their children not to kill insects and the children grow up to value all life. If children do not value insect life, that can be a slippery slope to devaluing all life. His Holiness also pointed out that compassion reduces blood pressure, tension and stress, and induces sound sleep and good digestion. His Holiness said, “The real healing power is compassion.”

During the question and answer session, His Holiness was asked how parents should teach privileged children to understand how lucky they are. His Holiness remarked that there is a question of how to introduce the value of compassion in a modern education system, and a pressing need to teach values in a secular way to children from kindergarten to university.

His Holiness was also asked if he planned on going back to Tibet. His Holiness said there was “always a desire to return,” but the Chinese leadership, which slanders him and calls him an enemy, would have a hard time justifying to its citizens why His Holiness was let inside the country. So His Holiness said he was trying to improve his relationship with the Chinese government. He reiterated that the issue of Tibet is not a Dalai Lama issue, but the issue of the Tibetan people.

Tomorrow His Holiness travels to Florida where he will give two public talks.

–Reporting by Tenzin Dickyi, Office of Tibet, New York. Editing by Lobsang Choedak

Dharamshala: His Holiness arrived in Los Angeles on Friday and planned to spend the weekend here in support of Whole Child International, a nonprofit organization that works on behalf of orphaned and abandoned children.

In an interview with Los Angeles Times, His Holiness said “there had been no progress in the latest round of talks with China over his call for genuine autonomy in Tibet”.

Still, His Holiness said growing support from Chinese people could help in making progress. “The number of Chinese intellectuals and writers [coming] out, they openly support our middle way approach and [are] very critical of their own government policy,” His Holiness told LA Times.

His Holiness said “Chinese intellectuals had become more sympathetic to Tibet as a result of peaceful demonstrations in 2008 that prompted a swift, violent response from Chinese authorities. Since then, His Holiness said, he has met many Chinese who say they were unaware of the Tibetan issue until the demonstrations. Now, he said, they find his call for a self-governing Tibet that remains a part of China to be “very sensible, very logical.”

His Holiness said “Chinese writers had published 800 articles in support of Tibetan autonomy, 300 of them published in China itself”.

His Holiness briefly discussed his Thursday meeting with President Obama. His Holiness said he had met with the president because “it was my duty to inform or report what the situation was in the relationship with the Chinese government.”

Asked if he saw any progress there, His Holiness said, “No progress. . . . Always the Chinese authorities [are] very hardened. Not only [against] Tibetans, but also . . . toward their own people.”

His LA visit included a luncheon speech Saturday and a public address scheduled for Sunday at Gibson Amphitheatre, where he will be joined by musician Sheryl Crow.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama smiles after receiving the National Endowment for Democracy's Democracy Service Medal during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, on 19 February 2010/REUTERS PHOTO

His Holiness started the day at 9 am by holding private audiences in his room at the Hotel Montage with members of the Whole Child International, a charity organisation dedicated to improving orphanage care-giving that is hosting His Holiness in Los Angeles.

Then from 9:30-11:30 am, His Holiness participated in a small discussion held in the hotel titled “Compassion in Action: Cultivating the Intimate Care for Vulnerable Children Globally”. There were about fifteen attendees who included Whole Child representatives, child-care experts and academics, philanthropists. They explored how to improve care giving in orphanages around the world while at the same time promoting government and institutional funding for better care-giving for orphan children.

Among the attendees were Nilmini Rubin, Senior Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Ruth Levine from the Center for Global Development; Gary Newton, US Government Special Advisor for Orphans and Vulnerable Children; and Robert McCall, Co-Director of the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development.

Mrs Karen Gordon, founder of Whole Child International, which is dedicated towards improving the lot of orphans worldwide by shifting the focus in orphan care from speed and efficiency to love and compassion, introduced the organisation. Mrs Gordon isolated three elements that Whole Child seeks to change in the way orphanages function: management, the caregiver’s relationship to the orphan and the physical environment for the child. She added that Whole Child seeks sustainable improvement in childcare by focusing on local capacity building, creation of early childhood specialisation in academia and elevation of childcare through regulation.

Mrs Gordon’s presentation was followed by a discussion on the challenges involved in childcare improvement as well as mentions of research showing the importance of familial care for good childhood development.

His Holiness started off his remarks by pointing out, “Firstly children are also human beings [and therefore should have human rights]. Secondly, our hope for a better future entirely depends on the younger generation.” He went on to emphasise that when there is lack of inner values such as compassion, then people exploit each other; the focus should be on creating a more compassionate society. He said, “We must build the next generation to be a more compassionate generation.” His Holiness stated that if children receive maximum affection when they are growing up, then they will grow to be better human beings.

In the afternoon, His Holiness held some more private audiences. Then at 2 pm he joined a Luncheon Reception held in the Hotel Ballroom on the theme of “Children’s Intimate Relationships in the Early Years – the Root of Compassion”.

At the Luncheon, after Mrs Karen Gordon invited His Holiness onstage to receive the first Whole Child International Humanitarian Award.

The award was presented by Mr George Landegger, board member of WCI and former chair of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Then followed a 45 minute Q&A session between His Holiness and Giselle Fernandez, a TV journalist. Giselle Fernandez asked His Holiness what responsibility all of us have to care for motherless children. His Holiness responded that among many mammals, humans’ big brains make us different. Many problems are our own creation, he suggested, because too many emotions have clouded our perspective and we can’t see the big picture. Since a calm, more compassionate mind is essential, His Holiness urged families with children to bring up their children to be more compassionate. He asserted, “If the planet becomes more compassionate, then many problems automatically cease.” He said that to ensure that humanity is healthy, the next generation should be brought up in a healthy way. “Our whole hope remains with them. They are the humanity of the 21st century,” His Holiness said. The luncheon reception was attended by around 280 people.

After the luncheon reception, His Holiness proceeded to do a series of brief interviews with reporters from The Associated Press, Newsweek, Reuters, Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio.

–Report filed by Tenzin Dickyi, Office of Tibet, New York

The National Endowment for Democracy presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Democracy Service Medal in recognition of the Tibetan temporal and spiritual leader’s commitment to advancing the principles of democracy and human dignity. His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his remarks talked about the history of the struggles of the Tibetan people in the past 50 years.

(Click here to watch the award ceremony)

Washington, DC: His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Library of Congress this morning for his final programme in Washington, DC during this visit. His Holiness was received at the Library by Librarian Dr. James Billington, Carl Gershman, the president of National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and NED Board Vice Chair Judy Shelton. His Holiness then viewed some exhibits of the Library’s vast Tibetan collection, which included a Thangka depicting the Gaden Lhagyalma, presented by the 13th Dalai Lama to the American diplomat and scholar William Rockhill, who were both in Wutaishan in China, on 21 June 1908.

His Holiness then proceeded to the auditorium after attending a small reception.

Librarian Billington made an initial introductory remark in which he talked about the Library and its Tibetan collection. He said His Holiness had visited the Library of Congress twice before. He mentioned that the Library represents the democratic belief that truly representative government has to be based on knowledge and the freedom to use it.

His Holiness then talked about the Library’s Tibetan collection, which included Rockhill’s collection of books between 1888 and 1892. Billington said that the presentation of the artefacts by the 13th Dalai Lama to Rockhill has been described by historians as probably the first direct cultural contact between Tibet and the United States. Saying he is specially honoured to welcome His Holiness today, Billington said, “Your presence highlights and pays tribute to preserving the cultural and historic legacy of the Tibetan experience.”

His Holiness then introduced Judy Shelton, NED Vice Chair. She welcomed everyone to the event and gave an overview of the NED’s work. NED has supported the democratic aspirations of the Tibetan people for over 20 years. She said the projects included building democratic awareness and institutions among Tibetans in exile and to increase meaningful interaction between Tibetans and Chinese. Before inviting NED President Carl Gershman to make his remarks, Judy recognized several distinguished individuals who were present on the occasion, including former State Department officials William Taft, Paula Dobriansky, and ICT Chairman Richard Gere.

His Holiness speaks to the audience after receiving the National Endowment for Democracy’s Democracy Service Medal during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington.

NED President Carl Gershman addressed the gathering on the reasons why his organization chose His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the Democracy Service Medal. He said, “We are gathered here today to honour the contribution of the Dalai Lama to the principles, values, and cause of democracy. This contribution is neither well understood nor widely recognised. The leadership of His Holiness in the struggle of the Tibetan people to preserve their culture is world renowned, and he has been honoured as a religious leader and as a man of peace. But his contribution to democracy has not received the attention it deserves. Our purpose today is to shed light on this dimension of his beliefs and purposes, one that makes the Dalai Lama especially relevant to the future of the world in which we live.”

His Holiness speaks to the audience after receiving the National Endowment for Democracy's Democracy Service Medal during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington

The NED President concluded, “For his contribution to advancing the institutions, values and purposes of democracy, for giving us all a model of how to practice democracy as a way of life, and for defending the survival of the people and culture of Tibet in a way that has also contributed to world peace and human understanding, the National Endowment for Democracy is proud to present its Democracy Service Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Thereafter, Carl Gershman and Judy Shelton jointly presented the medal to His Holiness and invited him to speak.

In his acceptance remarks, His Holiness said he regarded this medal as a recognition of his small contribution towards the promotion of democratic values. He said that he learnt the value of democracy through experience rather than through formal education. His Holiness then gave some examples of how he was able to do this. He said, in 1942, when he was around seven years old, he had received a letter and a gift from President Roosevelt. However, like any child, he said he was more interested in the gift and had ignored the letter, which was more important. He said he did not even know where the letter was. He revealed that it was only yesterday, after 68 years that he received a copy of that 1942 letter from President Barack Obama.

Secondly, His Holiness said that during formal occasions he had to sit on a throne on a day to day basis he would interact closely with ordinary individuals and recalled conversations he had with the sweepers (in his residence in Tibet) through which he was able to learn about injustices in the society as well as complaints that people had. He said the situation in Tibet in the past was, although not as bad as the Chinese project it, did have drawbacks and injustices.

Another experience that His Holiness recalled was his trips to China in 1954 and to India in 1956 during which he had the opportunity to watch the proceedings of parliament in the two countries. His Holiness said during a session in parliament China it looked like one member was making a critical remark. As soon as this was made he recalled an official asking this member to shut up. On the other hand, during the parliament proceeding in India that he had watched he found it noisy but lively and members seem to be able to have their rights of expression. His Holiness recalled mentioning this experience when he met with Chinese Premier Zhou En Lai who was also visiting India. His Holiness felt that the difference between the two countries showed the difference between an authoritarian society and an open society.

Yet, another experience His Holiness recalled was with Indian Prime Minister Pandit Nehru in 1959. His Holiness said he had mentioned to Prime Minister Nehru about taking up the Tibetan issue before the UN. Despite Nehru’s advise against it, the Tibetans went ahead in having the issue raised in the UN. During a subsequent meeting with Prime Minister Nehru, His Holiness said he was a little perturbed at first as to the reaction of the Prime Minister as he had not listened to his advice. However, Prime Minister Nehru did not show any signs of being displeased. His Holiness said he then realized the value of a democracy whereby people could disagree with each other without any fear.

His Holiness said that it was through such experiences that he had the occasion to learn about democracy and to appreciate its value.

His Holiness shakes hands with audience members after receiving the National Endowment for Democracy's Democracy Service Medal during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington,

His Holiness said that it was around 1952 that he had started a reform process in Tibet by setting up a Reform Committee. This committee undertook some action. Subsequently the Chinese authorities were not pleased with this as they also had plans to set up their own reform system. His Holiness said after 1959 he was able to implement his process of reforming the political system in exile. His Holiness said in 1969, he had formally made it clear that the future of the institution of the Dalai Lama lay in the hands of the Tibetan people who would determine whether it had any benefits to them or not. Referring to his role, His Holiness said that he had often remarked that while the 14th Dalai Lama is certainly not the best, but he is also not the worst. His Holiness said that in 2001 the democratic transformation occurred when political authority was transferred to the elected leadership.

Since delegates to a ‘Human Rights Defenders’ conference were also in the audience, His Holiness took the opportunity to express his deep appreciation to them for their work. His Holiness said that he regarded human rights as not just an individual’s concern but that of the society as a whole. His Holiness said the protection of individual rights is the protection of development and progress in a society. He said education is a key factor in the promotion of democratic values and recalled that
when Tibetans became refugees, the first task of the Central Tibetan
Administration was to establish schools.

His Holiness talked about the Tibetans in Tibet being “our real Boss” and emphasised the importance of preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist culture. His Holiness talked about three categories of Buddhism, namely Buddhist science, Buddhist concept, and Buddhist religion. He said the first two categories were relevant to everyone while Buddhist religion concerned only the Buddhists.

Following his remarks His Holiness answered some questions posed by members of the audience. They included which country, between democratic India and Communist China, would be more relevant for the future (His Holiness responded to this by referring to the remarks Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, “a saintly Prime Minister”, about the nature of Indian society to show why the Indian system was more relevant). In response to another question, His Holiness talked about the need for the Chinese Communist leaders to appreciate his remarks for the retirement of the Communist system “with grace.” His Holiness said that no political party can remain in power forever. The Chinese Communist Party has done many wrong things but at the same time it has made lot of contribution for stronger China. He therefore thought the Party could retire gracefully.

His Holiness presents a traditional scarf to Judy Shelton, Vice Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, after she presented him with the Democracy Service Medal.

His Holiness concluded by expanding on his belief about the commonality of human beings and that we have the same potential to develop inner strength on the basis of compassion.

July Shelton thanked His Holiness and quoted from his book, The Art of Happiness, saying you have given us a great deal of happiness.

The Library of Congress had made a special display from its Tibet collection for the people to look at to coincide with this event.

There were major media presence at the event. The Kunleng program of Voice of America’s Tibetan service broadcast its today’s session live from Capitol Hill. The American cable network, C-Span, which covers political and other important events, gave live coverage of the event.

After the NED event, His Holiness left for Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C. to depart to Los Angeles for his second leg of the tour of the United States. His Holiness was seen off at the airport by Special Envoy Lodi Gyari, a Protocol Officer of the United States Government, and a representative of the Embassy of India.

–Report filed by Mr Bhuchung K Tsering of ICT

Washington, DC: US President Barack Obama met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The President stated his “strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China”.

The President commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government. The President stressed that he has “consistently encouraged both sides to engage in direct dialogue to resolve differences and was pleased to hear about the recent resumption of talks”.

The President and the Dalai Lama agreed on the importance of a positive and cooperative relationship between the United States and China.

“Today’s meeting is a clear demonstration of President Obama’s support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts to resolve the Tibet issue as well as of his personal respect for him,” said Lodi Gyari, the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Washington, DC: His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his programme with a visit to the White House for his meeting with President Barack Obama. On his arrival at the White House, His Holiness was received by Ambassador Capricia Marshall, the Chief of Protocol of the United States Government and was led to the Map Room. His Holiness was accompanied by Special Envoy Lodi Gyari, Representative Lobsang Nyandak Zayul and Secretary Tenzin N. Taklha. President Obama was accompanied to the meeting by Presidential Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Senior Asia Director Jeff Bader.

His Holiness and the President met from around 11:20 till around 12:30 pm. In a statement the White House Press Secretary said “the President commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government.”

His Holiness gave a brief remark to the White House press during which he expanded on what he had discussed with the President. (click here to watch) His Holiness said he felt honoured meeting the President of the greatest democratic country. Since childhood, His Holiness said he had admired America, not as a military power, but as a champion of human value and human creativity. His Holiness told the media that he had apprised President Obama about his three commitments of promoting human values, promoting religious harmony, and resolving the Tibetan issue. Female biologically more sensitive to others’ pain and suffering and the President agreed with this. I said I wished that more female should take leadership role. On the second commitment, he suggested that while keeping to one’s own religion people should respect others’ religious tradition.

On the third commitment on the issue of Tibet, His Holiness said that since 2001 there is an elected leader who takes the lead. He jokingly said that usually he introduced the elected leader as his boss, while spiritually he was the boss of the elected leader.

His Holiness said the President himself inquired about the issue of Tibet. His Holiness reiterated his full commitment to the Middle Way Approach. He said he thanked the President for his interest. Even before his elections, he showed his concern, His Holiness said. After his election, the President continued this concern, including during his visit to Beijing last year, he added.

In the afternoon, on his way to the State Department to meet Secretary Hillary Clinton, His Holiness stopped briefly outside the hotel while a crowd of Tibetans had gathered to greet him. Majority of them had come down from New York to participate in the welcome events that the Tibetan communities in the Washington, D.C. Area and New York had planned at the White House today. These Tibetans showed strong emotion as His Holiness appeared before them and bursts into sobs and prayers for His Holiness’ long life.

At the State Department, Secretary Hillary Clinton was joined in the meeting by Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues; Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific; and David Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

On his return from the State Department His Holiness addressed the media gathered outside the hotel and took some questions from them.

His Holiness talked about President Obama’s support of his approach. When asked how the Administration would implement this, His Holiness said time will tell saying nobody can predict.

When asked what kind of reaction he expected from China to today’s meeting, His Holiness said he felt almost certain that there would be some negative reaction, some criticism, some scolding.

His Holiness said he wanted to tell the Chinese leadership, to look at every issue in a more holistic view. He said they can then get fuller knowledge about the reality. By looking at any problem from just one side, His Holiness said one can’t see the reality fully thus making one’s approach unrealistic. He said it was in this context that some Chinese policy looks very childish to some people.

When asked whether he felt frustrated to come back here year after year with so little changing in Tibet, His Holiness said he did not feel so. He added that the important thing is that we have the truth, basic right and reasonable right. He said therefore it was worthwhile to make an attempt adding that it did not matter whether we realise this goal within one’s own lifetime or not.

He said the issue is something worthwhile, something that benefits not only Tibetans, but also in whole Asia, and, particularly, millions of young Chinese. He said 50 years have passed and we never gave up our hope.

When asked whether they had talked about US-China relations, His Holiness said they did and recalled his basic position on how the world should engage with China. His Holiness said during the time when discussions where going on in the United States as to whether China should be given the Most Favored Nation status, he had supported it.

His Holiness said while the world should engage in economic development relations with China, there was also the responsibility to bring China into mainstream of world democracy. His Holiness said the hardliners in the Chinese leadership perceive the term democracy to be negative and argue that Western style of democracy may not fit Asia. His Holiness said that India and Japan very successfully practice democracy.

His Holiness said China’s ultimate ambition is to become superpower and added that in order to become superpower, moral authority is a very important condition. He said superpower in the sense of military force, like that of the former Soviet Union, brought more fear, more distrust, and more discomfort. On the other hand, a superpower like the United States, which is an open society, democratic, independent judiciary, brings more, sort of, trust, more comfort. His Holiness said China eventually should be such a superpower, which brings happiness, satisfaction, and calm. His Holiness said transparency and free media were essential in this.

His Holiness said that whenever he met with some Chinese friends, Chinese professors, and scholars, he talked about the need for China to be an open society. Then, trust can develop, he said. His Holiness also talked about the need for genuine friendship between India and China, the two most populated nations. He said that genuine friendship only comes on the basis of mutual trust.

His Holiness said he had also discussed with the President about development in the American society. He said President Lincoln had abolished slavery while Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights. He said it was now great that a non-white has become the President of the United States. His Holiness recalled hearing the news of President Obama’s election victory while he was attending a meeting of Gandhians in the Indian city of Pune. His Holiness said everyone clapped which indicated that Obama’s elections impacted not only the United States but also the world.

When asked whether India was with him on this political journey, His Holiness replied, “India is my home.”

Thereafter, His Holiness met with Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar, former Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary and Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues Maria Otero and some Tibetans.

In the evening His Holiness attended a Tibetan New Year reception hosted by the Aspen Institute.

–Report filed by Mr Bhuchung K Tsering of ICT