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International Conference of Autonomous Regions for Tibet
TPPRC
November 22, 2006
22 November 2006, New Delhi: The Tibetan Parlimentary and Policy Research
Centre (TPPRC) based in New Delhi successfully concluded its two-days'
International Conference of Autonomous Regions for Tibet which was held at
the Heritage Village, Manesar, Haryana on the 19 and 20 November 2006.
As many as 10 intellectuals from autonomous countries like Aaland Island,
Bougainville, Quebec, Scotland, Catalonia, Greenland, Saami, Hong Kong,
South Tyrol attended the conference to share the problems that they faced in
their struggle for autonomy, how they countered the problems and the lessons
that we Tibetans could learn from their experience. 11 Tibetans representing
the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile also
participated in the conference.
While each participant from the autonomous regions presented detailed case
study of their country's autonomous setup, Kalon Tempa Tsering, Minister for
the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central
Tibetan Administration, presented a broad outline of Middle Way Approach of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the current status of negotiations on the
issue of Tibet.
Before the conference, the delegation from the autonomous regions visited
Dharamsala (16-18 November 2006) where they received an audience with His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. During the meeting, His Holiness briefed them on
issues that he considered important for resolving the Tibetan issue. The
audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama lasted for about 1 hour and 15
minutes. The delegation also met Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa of the
Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), who updated them about the
Sino-Tibetan dialogue process, aspirations of the Tibetan people in dealing
with China and obstacles in its way.
They also met the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Mr. T.T. Karma
Chophel who introduced them to the working of the exile parliament. The
delegation was also familiarised with the three pillars of democracy of the
CTA. Besides they visited various institutions and the Tibetan Children's
Village.
Participants at the conference included Prof. Alain G Gagnon, Canada
Research Chair in Québec and Canadian Studies and professor of Political
Science at the University of Québec, Montréal (UQAM), Dr. Anthony James
Regan, Australia-Expert on Bougainville autonomy, Fellow, The Australian
National University, Canberra, Dr. Ash Vadher, Foreign Policy advisor to
Lord David Steel, London & Malawi President Dr. Bakili Muluzi, Ms. Elisabeth
Helene Naucler, Head of Administration, Govt. of Aaland Island, Dr. Felix
Marti, Founder UNESCOCAT, Catalonia, Prof. Fu Hualing, Associate & Director,
Centre for Comparative & Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Hong
Kong, Dr. Gunther Cologna, President-Italy Tibet Support Group &
Director-Educational Programme, EURAC, Mr. Lars Anders Baer, President,
Saami Parliament in Sweden and Chairman, Saami Parliamentary Council, Lord
David Steel, First Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and former
President of Liberal International, Mr. Vittus Qujaukitsoq, Corporate
Communications Manager, Greenland, Mr. Malla K Sundar, National Coalition
against Racial Discrimination, Nepal & Journalist, Dr. Rene Klaff, Director,
FNF South Asia, Ms. Rebon Banerjee, Exectuive Programme, FNF South Asia, Mr.
Tempa Tsering, Minister Department of Information and International
Relations, Mr. Sonam N Dagpo, Secretary, Department of Information and
International Relations, Mr. Thubten Samphel, Secretary, Department of
Information and International Relations, Mr. Jigmey Passang, Coordinating
Secretary, Task Force, Mr. Pema Jungney, Member, Tibetan Parliament in
exile, Mr. Sonam Damdul, Member, Tibetan Parliament in exile, Mr. Gyalrong
Dawa Tsering, Member, Tibetan Parliament in exile, Ms. Ngawang Lhamo,
Member, Tibetan Parliament in exile, Mr. Choekyong Wangchuk, Member, Tibetan
Parliament in exile, Mr. Dorjee Wangdi Dewatshang, Member, Tibetan
Parliament in exile and Ms. Youdon Aukatsang, Member, Tibetan Parliament in
exile
The conference is the first of its kind and TPPRC aims to organize similar
conferences in the future by involving more participation from other
autonomous states.
The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC) is a joint
project of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation, a public funded German
institution, committed to liberal democratic ideals and engaged in
strengthening pluralist development, and the Assembly of Tibetan People's
Deputies (ATPD), Tibet's Parliament in exile.Since its inception in 1991, it
has been engaged in understanding and dissemination of information on
various political aspects related to Tibet with a view to carry forward the
global movement of the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom and democracy.
All programmes of TPPRC are aimed at strengthening the democratic process
and institutionalization of democracy among the Tibetan people and in
promoting the political programme of the Tibetan administration.
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