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Tibet: Environment and Development Guidelines
The Tibetan Government-In-Exile has created guidelines for international development projects in Tibet. The following are excerpts from the guidelines, which were published in 1994.
Introduction The Tibetan Government-In-Exile has, in the past, made its view known to foreign governments, international organizations, and others wanting to help develop Tibet. The concept is that, in principle, any assistance given to Tibetans in Tibet will be welcomed, provided it does not support the Chinese government's policies of population transfer and colonization of Tibet. This view comes from the belief that the Tibetan Government-In-Exile has a responsibility for the welfare of all Tibetans, both in and outside Tibet...
In May 1992, the Chinese government announced the creation of a "special economic zone" in the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region. We believe that their objective is to stimulate foreign investment in the region to encourage settlement of Chinese in Tibet and to further consolidate Chinese political control in Tibet. It could also lead to further environmental degradation, depletion of Tibet's resources, and result in further human rights abuses.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated on March 10, 1993: "If the best interests of the Tibetan people are not kept in the forefront, there is a real danger that this policy will only promote and intensify the transfer of more Chinese into Tibet. This will further reduce the Tibetans to an insignificant minority in their own country, thus completing the thorough colonization of Tibet which will have serious consequences for its fragile environment."
Concerns with respect to the needs of the Tibetan people:ŠThere should be meaningful Tibetan participation in all decision-making and implementation phases of the projects. Projects should take into consideration local conditions and needs as perceived by the local Tibetan people...
Development should refer not only to material and economic well-being for the Tibetans, but should also cover social, political, and cultural development. The Tibetan Government-In-Exile's concept of sustainable development takes into consideration not only the needs and requirements of the present Tibetan generation but also the needs of future generations...
The long-term goals of development policy and projects should be: (1) To transform the whole of Tibet into a zone of peace and nonviolence. This would be in keeping with Tibet's historical role as a peaceful, neutral nation, promoting stability and peace on the Asian continent; (2) To transform Tibet into a country based on democratic principles where every individual, irrespective of birth, sex, or religion, can freely practice his/her religion, culture, and economic activities; (3) To restore and preserve Tibet's fragile natural environment; and (4) To reverse the process of marginalization of Tibetans in Tibet and restore to Tibetans free control over their own destiny.
Guidelines for projects and investments: In light of the above objectives, the following guidelines are proposed for engagement in development projects in Tibet: (1) Development projects should be small-scale, decentralized initiatives over which Tibetans have control. Large-scale projects are discouraged. Promotion of appropriate technology enterprises is strongly urged; (2) All development initiatives should be preceded by social, cultural, and environmental impact assessments; (3) Projects that intensify and promote transfer of Chinese into Tibet should be opposed; (4) Development projects should use on a priority basis available trained and qualified Tibetans, and should provide effective and appropriate training and education to other Tibetans including, where appropriate, training in foreign languages; (5) Tibetan should be used as the working language of projects to the extent possible. It will be important for the development project staff to know the Tibetan language; (6) Projects should involve systematic and meaningful Tibetan participation in all phases including identification, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; (7) Development projects must not directly or indirectly use prison or forced or child labor. They must not assist or help in experimenting, producing, and obtaining military or police equipment that can be used against the Tibetan people; (8) Special attention should be paid to education, welfare, and general upliftment of the position of Tibetan women; (9) The project managers, sponsors, and funding agents should regularly monitor and evaluate the projects to ensure that these guidelines and any conditions stipulated in the agreement are respected; (10) Projects should respect Tibetan culture and way of life as well as the aspirations of the Tibetan people; (11) Development projects should foster the self-sufficiency and self-reliance of Tibetans. Programs and projects should strive to draw on renewable resources available locally.
Priority Fields: Bearing in mind the above guidelines, the Tibetan Government-In-Exile recommends the following priority areas: (1) Rural health; (2) Rural education; (3) Strengthening and development of village-level development organizations and human resources; (4) Small-scale enterprises using appropriate technologies; (5) Small-scale hydroelectric projects providing power to Tibetan villages; (6) Training in traditional medicines; (7) Technical, professional opportunities abroad; (8) Adult literacy programs; (9) High-altitude research centers on nomadic farming, desert irrigation, livestock rearing, fodder, vegetation and solar energy, etc.; (10) Animal husbandry and dairy farming; (11) Horticulture; (12) Cultivation of medicinal plants; (13) Sustainable agriculture; (14) Traditional arts and crafts; (15) Ecologically sustainable tourism; (16) Woollen garment manufacture; (17) Forestry; (18) Cultural projects to restore monasteries, nunneries, libraries, and historical sites.
For more information and for discussion of specific proposals contact or consult:
Environment and Development Desk Department of Information and International Relations Central Tibetan Administration Gangchen Kyishong Dharamsala - 176215 INDIA E-mail: diir@tcrclinux.tibdsala.org.in Tel: 0091-1892-22510 Fax: 0091-1892-24957