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Conference of Tibetan Communities in Europe
Delegations from 8 different countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and Switzerland) participated in the meeting. The gathering was also attended by Monkhar Sonam Phuntsok, member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and Kelsang Gyaltsen, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Europe. The conference started with a welcome speech by Lobsang Gangshontsang, the President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The delegates of the European Tibetan communities expressed grave concern about the lack of any substantive progress in the ongoing Sino-Tibetan dialogue and the alarming developments inside Tibet that threaten the survival of the Tibetan people with its distinct culture, religion, language and identity. As a result, the conference resolved to intensify efforts by the Tibetan organisations in Europe to further the just cause of Tibet on all levels of public and political life in Europe. The participants discussed the importance of building strong Tibetan communities in European countries with the aim of preserving the Tibetan culture, language, religion and identity and intensifying the efforts to promote the cause of the non-violent freedom struggle. They also discussed the important role Europe can play in contributing to a peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue and reached a consensus to convene the Europe-Tibetan Congress at the next possible date that will formulate the approach and policy to enhance the cause of Tibet in Europe. The representatives of the Tibetan Communities expressed strong support for the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration. An agreement was reached to request His Holiness the Dalai Lama to accept a Long-Live Prayer offering by the Tibetans living in Europe in order to express their deep gratitude, unwavering loyalty and sincere request to His Holiness to live long for the benefit of the Tibetan people and all sentient beings. It was decided to hold the next conference of the representatives of the Tibetan Communities in Europe in February 2008 to be hosted by the Tibetan Community in Belgium. |
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Last updated: 28-Feb-2007