Darmstadt, Germany: Three Nobel peace laureates; His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lech Welesa, former President of Poland and leader of Solidarnosch movement that overthrew communism and Rebecca Johnson, founding president of International Campaign for abolition of nuclear weapons (ICAN), recipient of 2017 Nobel peace prize, extolled non-violence as the ‘only method’ to resolve conflicts and to move forward.
At a symposium on Non-Violence organised by Tibet Initiative Deutschland and Gandhen Phodrang Foundation held yesterday at Darmstadt, the Nobel laureates were joined by Claudia Roth, Vice President of German Parliament, Finance Minister of Has state, Germany and Jochen Partsch, Lord Mayor of Darmstad, Sinisa Sikman, former OTPOR leader who successfully overthrew dictator Milashovich in Serbia and Dhardon Sharling from Central Tibetan Administration.
The speakers hailed the non-violent resistance in Tibet and the Tibetan spirit of resilience.
Lech Welesa expressed ‘hope’ to see a ‘victorious Tibet’ in his lifetime and said that Tibet and China should find a constructive solution because civilization demands it.
“We are stronger together and anyone not is not with Tibet should be ashamed,” said Lech.
Rebecca Johnson shared her experiences talking to Tibetans and sensing the unflinching determination of the Tibetans. Reiterating that non-violence is not passiveness, Rebecca said “ we should all have solidarity with Tibetans and together, we can make Tibet free.”
Claudi Roth lauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the non-violent action of Tibetan people as biggest gift to humanity. “Dalai Lama and Tibet are very important, they show that peace and non-violence will win over power and violence,” affirmed Claudia.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama enchants our hearts and bring light when its dark and dull,” claimed an emotional Claudia.
Dardhon Sharling, Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration (DIIR, CTA), speaking about the situation in Tibet at the discussion on non-violence in Darmstadt, Germany on September 19, 2018. Photo by Manuel Bauer
Dhardon Sharling said that Tibetans have been upholding non-violence as the core principle underpinning their struggle. “Whether they are protesting in numbers or alone, singing songs, boycotting Chinese businesses or keeping their languages and identity alive – Tibetan non-violent resistance continue to put China’s rule to test. Their actions remind everyone that nonviolence is not the same as passiveness,” said Dhardon.
She called for global support for the Tibetan struggle through real action.
“If Tibetans in Tibet are finding new ways of resistance even after 60 years of oppression, if Tibetans in Tibet who risk arrest and death to carry out their struggle are not losing hope, we cannot either. We need to support them using our freedoms and democratic rights that we have here,” appealed Dhardon.
The session was moderated by award-winning German journalist Dunya Hayali.
One of the other highlights of the symposium was a performance by renowned cellist and founder of Peace through Arts Foundation Karim Wasfi from Iraq who was known from performing cello in the midst a bomb-ravaged Bhagdad.
This is His Holiness’ first visit to Darmstadt.
Panelists wearing traditional Tibetan scarves offered by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to thank them for their participation in the discussion on nonviolence and peace in Darmstadt, Germany on September 19, 2018. Photo by Manuel Bauer
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reaching out to clasp the hand of Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity movement and former President of Poland, during the discussion on non-violence in Darmstadt, Germany on September 19, 2018. Photo by Manuel Bauer