The 5th annual North America Tibetan Youth Congress Conference was hosted by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress in Toronto on the 30th & 31st of July, 2005 at Masaryk Cowan Community Centre. The conference consists delegates from over 7 regional branches of Tibetan Youth Conference in the States and in Canada. There were 18 representatives present at the Conference representing regional branches RTYC Belleville, RTYC Minnesota, RTYC NY & NJ, RYTC San Francisco and RTYC Toronto. For the first time in North America TYC Conference history, we had Mr. Jigme Thinlay la, Joint Secretary of TYC head office in Dharamsala ( Centrex ) attend the conference as our Chief Guest.
It was also our pride and pleasure to have one of the founding member of TYC, Mr. Jamyang Norbu la, who is also a writer and activist. To add to the above dignitaries, we also had Mr. Thupten Wangyal la, an ex executive member of Centrex (TYC Dharamsala), who is now the president of Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario. Mr. Peter who is the Constituent Assistant to the PC, MP High Park/ Parkdale also attended the first day of the conference. The conference was open to everyone interested in taking part. A special session was also allowed just for public opinions and suggestions.
The day started with Portrait enthronement of H. H. The Dalai Lama followed by Tibetan National Anthem, one minute silence tribute to all Tibetan Martyrs, TYC theme song and long life prayer for H. H. The Dalai Lama. RTYC Toronto President Mr. Yuthok la gave a warm welcome speech to all present at the conference which was followed by a greeting from Mr. Peter on behalf of Honourable PC, MP Sarmite Bulte. He also recited the speech Ms. Bulte had prepared for the conference and which was also to be addressed at the House of Commons by Ms Bulte herself.
Before going into the conference agenda, all participants offered traditional scarf (Khatak) to the portrait of H. H. The Dalai Lama and then tea and sweet rice (desi) was offered to everyone.Later, presentation of Annual Reports were made by a representative from respective branches. Resolutions passed during the 4th NATYCC was reviewed and clarifications were made where needed.
Mr. Jamyang Norbu la expressed his pleasure to have had the chance to attend the NARTYC Conference. He stressed on the importance of keeping our hopes up though we may have ups and downs all through our struggle for freedom. He also mentioned the rapidly growing economic power of China and to bring into attention all the Human Rights violations and Child labour that is going in rural part of Tibet and China as well and that we need to be aware of all the anti Human Rights incidents and take action immediately to speed up the awareness around the world. He prayed for FREE TIBET and for us to bring back H. H. The Dalai Lama to his Potala Palace where he always belonged. Jamyang la also is very active in the Boycott Made in China cause and has written several books, the latest being ‘Buying the dragon teeth’. Jamyang la also runs a website for the same cause – http://www.boycottmadeinchina.org
Our chief guest Mr. Jigme Thinlay la from Centrex expressed his gratitude to all TYC representatives for their dedication towards Tibet’s Freedom. He voiced that our Freedom is a must and not a choice for us. We must fight our Freedom for ourselves, H. H. The Dalai Lama and for our future generations. Jigme la will be presenting the resolutions and suggestions made during the conference to the Joint committee meeting which is held every year in India. This year the Joint Committee meeting will be held this year from August 23-28 in Bylakuppe, India consisting of over 43 RTYC branches in India and Nepal.
The Conference agenda covered the following:
Means of Preserving the Tibetan Tradition & Culture, especially in mainting the moral values among our youths in North America
How to bring higher means for the well being of His Holiness than earlier means
Building of strategies for the forthcoming Tibetan Parliament Eleclction in which a separate candidate for from Canada be introduced since there is highest number of Tibetan living among the Norhtern America teritory. This will enhance the Tibet awareness in the country.
Action plan: Attending General Body Meeting in India The Centrex has been constantly asking to have a representative of North America TYC’s to attend the General Body Meeting in India. A decision should be made by the conclusion of 5th NATTYC.
The conference ended successfully with a Thank you speech from the Vice President of RTYC Toronto Sonam Wangchuk la. The host for next North America Tibetan Youth Congress Conference 2006 will be held in either one of the locations – Seattle or San Francisco.
