Speaking to the TYC members on the occasion of the XII General Body Meeting of TYC, H.H. The Dalai Lama remarked, “Future holds more challenges for the young generation, therefore, they should be well prepared for those challenges”.
In pursuit of the directions given by His Holiness, TYC, in its attempt to groom and prepare future leaders to face the challenges in the Tibetan freedom struggle, has been organizing leadership trainings on a yearly basis.
The Tibetan Youth Leadership Training Program (TYLT) has over the years, evolved into one of the major curriculums in Tibetan Youth Congress calendar since the conduct of the first ever Youth Training Camp in the summer of year 1990 in Dharamsala.
TYLT has since, come a long way training successfully, over several hundred young Tibetans through scores of such Programs. The present Tibetan Youth Leadership Training from 23 – 28 December, 2004 at Tibetan Youth Hostel, Delhi is a follow-up to the last two major trainings held at Bangalore and Bylakuppe in recent years.
TYC has through these trainings, striven to provide an integrated program focused on the dissemination of information on Tibetan and global issues, highlighting importance of Tibet’s unique culture and tradition, imbibing journalistic skills and teaching media and international lobbying tactics. The training also concentrates on developing skills in communication, personal growth, team building and leadership skills etc.
Red nosed students shivering to the quite unexpected chill of Delhi started to arrive from various colleges of India and Nepal to the Tibetan Youth Hostel at Delhi for the TYC organized ‘Tibetan Youth Leadership Training’. As the evening of 22nd December settled down to the heavy mist, a total of 130 students from more than 16 different places, from Pokhara to Chennai reported at the TYLT desk for a full 6 days of learning and sharing of knowledge. On the eve of the training, special guest speaker invitee, Mr. Tsemoling Pempa, former political prisoner and currently one of the central executive members of Gu-Chu-Sum political prisoners movement spoke to the students, recounting his experience of 15 years behind the Chinese prison walls. Penetrating, invigorating and poignant at times, Tsemoling Dawa presented a vivid picture of the severe conditions back in our country and re-lived the torture he suffered, carrying the students through his emotional journey. The warm up session left the students disposed and impatient for the six full days of training.
Tibetan Youth Leadership Training aims at developing young Tibetans proficient in both spheres of knowledge, armed with high standards of moral and spiritual value embodying a true Tibetan identity, embracing all qualities of leadership. Likewise, the curriculums are focused and designed to facilitate the participants with these wide variety of knowledge, values and skills to be carried forward into a lifetime of leadership, activism and service in the Tibetan Community.
The mornings of TYLT are earlier than the sun. The Tibetan Youth Leadership Training began today at 7 in the morning with participants of the TYLT waking up to warm up exercises and stretch routines along with a light jogging and a bit of laughter therapy as well. The work out was followed by half an hour of religious session lead by a monk student of CIHTS, Varanasi.
The inauguration ceremony of the TYLT began at 9 am with the distinguished presence of Mr. Tashi Wangdi, former Kalon and presently the representative of H.H. The Dalai Lama at Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Special guests included Mr. Sonam N. Dagpo, former president of TYC and presently Secretary, DIIR and Mr. Lobsang Shashtri, member of parliament, both of whom were present as resource persons. The ceremony began with the house standing up to the proud rendition of the Tibetan national anthem followed by an introductory speech from Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok, President, TYC. In his speech, he impressed on the main aims of the training and warned the participants of the challenges of the future struggle for Tibet. “When your time comes to take the podium, face the public and talk, you might not be enjoying many of the facilities, services and conveniences that we are presently accommodated with”, he said. The President reiterated on the necessity that the present college and university educated Tibetan students must believe in their ability and the fine scope available for individual initiative and to cultivate a sense of self reliance. “It is of utmost importance that the education thus received must be utilitised in providing efficient leadership in bringing about a positive and a progressive development in the lives of the Tibetans living inside Tibet, who are deprived of education and freedom. With the majority of Tibetans residing in Tibet, the fulfillment of their welfare and the interest is of pre-eminence”, he concluded.
In his address, Mr. Tashi Wangdi la emphasized on the need of the younger generation to take more responsibilities and urged the participants to devote themselves fully to the training during their six days of stay. Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo and Mr. Lobsang Shashtri in their respective addresses commended TYC on organizing the training on such a grand scale and requested the participants to make optimum use of the opportunity offered to them in the form of the training.
The first training session began with Mr. Tashi Wangdi la deliberating on the topic “Enhancing Tibetan NGO’s role in International Relations”. Having worked in TYC, the largest Tibetan NGO and served as the minister for Department of Information and International Relations, Wangdi la through his enriching experience shared his views on the importance of NGOs in a society. He emphasized on the need of non-affiliation of any NGO with the government, stating the pertinent example of TYC, as a reliable body to offer evenhanded check and balance. A hectic question hour session followed during which many of our participants got the opportunity to clear their doubts and uncertainties.
Mr. Sonam N. Dagpo addressed the second training session of the day on the topic, ‘Development in Sino-Tibet dialogue process’. He accounted in detail the evolvement of the concept of ‘Autonomy’ in the exile polity, marking its beginning from the initial offer made by Deng Xiao Ping in 1979, followed by the Five Point Peace Plan and Strasbourg Proposals. He assured of much progress in the dialogue process stating that the latest discussions were most serious and extensive.
The panel discussion that followed on the topic ‘Sino-Tibet Negotiation’ comprised of panelists, Mr. Sonam N.Dagpo, Mr. Lobsang Shashtri, Mr. Lugar Jham and Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok. With each of the panelists expressing their own views on the topic, an excited question hour session ensued during which many of the participants voiced their queries.
As the first day of the six-day long TYLT came to an end, the auditorium rose to the resonating sound of the youth anthem, ‘We Shall Over Come…’ truly echoing the passion and zest of the youth for overcoming all barriers to reach the ultimate goal of Rangzen.
