New York city, September 09, 2017: The 16th annual conference of North American Tibetan Associations is underway in New York City from 08 – 10 September 2017.
Dr Lobsang Sangay, honorable President of the Central Tibetan Administration, is the Chief Guest on the inaugural session. In his opening address, President Dr Sangay acknowledged the growing awareness of the Tibet issue among Tibetans and non-Tibetans in the world and said that the condition of the Tibetan community in North America and the Tibetan community at large are improving in all dimensions. He lauded the hard work and dedication of the board members of Tibetan Associations, Tibetan language teachers and other volunteers for sacrificing their personal benefits to serve the Tibetan community in preserving Tibetan culture and language.
He stressed that Tibetans in North America should take utmost care in instilling Tibetan values in their children and teach them Tibetan language and that Tibetan Associations should encourage Tibetan students in the US to intern at government and lawmaker’s offices. He further the highlighted the importance of unity among fellow Tibetans and to put an end to any divisive activities based on cholkhas and religious beliefs.
He also outlined Kashag’s vision for the Five-Fifty strategy and its upcoming meeting in Dharamsala. He briefly explained the activities of various departments of Central Tibetan Administration including plans for the campaign year of 2017 and gratitude year of 2018.
Norbu Tsering, President of Tibetan Associations, welcomed the participants in the inaugural function. It was followed by Representative Penpa Tsering’s address who spoke on history of Tibetans in North America and the meeting’s objectives. Member of Parliament Pema Chagzoetsang spoke about the upcoming mass campaign to be organised in New York city in December 2017. Member of Parliament Tsewang Rigzin spoke about the importance of implementing the resolutions passed in the meeting and lauded the activities carried out by the Tibetan Associations.
Tencho Gyatso, Director of Tibetan Empowerment & Chinese Engagement Programs spoke about the political activities carried out by ICT and Office of Tibet; its importance and what Tibetan Associations are expected to do. Kunga Tashi, Chinese Liaison Officer at Office of Tibet highlighted the importance of reaching out to Chinese and educating the Chinese about the Tibet issue.
The annual conference is attended by 62 participants representing 27 Tibetan Associations. Th conference will discuss various issues pertaining to His Holiness’ US visit and his personal security; Tibet issue and ways in which the Tibetan Associations in North America could be strengthened to foster unity among Tibetans.
The conference is being jointly organised by Office of Tibet, Washington DC and the Tibetan community of New York & New Jersey.The meeting being is streamed live on the Facebook page of Office of Tibet – Washington, DC and Tibetan community of Ny&NJ from September 08, 9:00 am onwards.
– Report filed by OOT Washington DC –
Tibetan Parliamentarian Pema Chagzoetsang speaking at the conference.