Within the framework of the Children’s Rights Day, the town of Digne in France, where the famous French explorer and Buddhist Mrs Alexandra David Neel lived and passed away in 1969, unique experiences of the education of exile Tibetan children has been highlighted. Various events are being organised from 18th November upto 21st November 2006 by the Foundation Alexandra David Neel and Mayor authority of Digne. Mrs Jetsun Pema is chief host of these events. On 18th November in the morning, ” Promenade du Tibet ” walking park was inaugurated in the presence of Mr Jean Louis Bianco, President of the Departmental council, Mr Serge Goaguen, Mayor of Digne, and Secretary general of the Prefect.
Tibetan hymn was played and flag hoisted. Cutting a ceremonial ribbon of inauguration, Mrs Jetsun Pema offered a traditional khatag and opened a plate of commemoration. After this, at Samten Dzong, the Foundation’s seat, Mr Jean Louis Bianco inaugurated the new exhibition hall and museum wings. These were fruits of seven years of tireless efforts of Mr Franck Treguier, Director of the Foundation, who collected new series of Tibetan thangkas, restored a number of rare photographies tracing the extraordinary life of Mrs Alexandra David Neel and prepared a miniature presentation of the different aspects of life of the Tibetan people. In the presence of a number of journalists and well wishers, Mr Pierre Bayetti, President of the Foundation, gave a short speech in which he explained legacy of Alexandra David Neel being carried out by the devoted staff of the Foundation and also underlined the longstanding fascination generated by Tibet and its culture through the life and works of Mr David Neel who has become a legendary figure in the world.
Mr Serge Goaguen, Mayor of Digne gave a moving speech, citing his own professional experiences how he came to be involved with the town of Digne and the life of David Neel. He highlighted the value and relevance of the wisdom and culture of the Tibetan people which he said, is unfortunately, being threatened onn its own soil. He urged every one in the free world to remain vigilant and do everything possible to help save and promote the culture and people of Tibet. Mr Jean Louis Bianco, a prominent Socialist personality and national MP, said his deep attachment to the Tibetan people and the tremendous efforts being made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the longstanding issue of Tibet. He mentioned his engagement for the just cause of Tibet and also related how he has been impressed by the vibrant democracy of the exile community, the quality of the education given, and efforts being made by the refugee community to safeguard their unique culture. Mr Jean Louis Bianco, as a member of the Tibet Group at the French National Assembly, has participation in the first even French parliamentarian delegation’s visit to Dharamsala in March 2005. He invited all to continue to support the humble, honest and non violent struggle and vision of His Holiness. Mrs Jetsun Pema thanked all for all the marvelous achievements she saw since her first visit to Digne in 1985. She particularly, mentioned Mrs Marie Madeleine Peyronnet who has served as personal assistant to Alexandra David Neel till her death in 1969 and who still continues to this day to serve the Foundation, Mr Franck Treguier whose gifted talents and profound love for the Tibetan people and the mayoral and district authorities who continue to support the increasing activities of the Foundation. Among others, Mrs Pema said, the growing number of people who support when the Tibetan people is in need are true friends since they do this with total disinterested mind but also by developing awareness and knowledge on the Tibetan situation.
In the afternoon, at the Gessandi Hall, Mrs Jetsun Pema gave a public talk on the ” experiences of the education in exile community “. A documentary of 15 minute on exile education produced in 1993 was shown before the talk. Rich with her 42 years of personal experiences in the service of the education, she gave moving details of the challenging situation the Tibetan people in elaborating a programme of education which is modern, pragmatic but also safeguarding the linguistic and cultural identity of the Tibetan people. From a single home with 51 refugee children in 1960, which rapidly increased to 800, the participation of the foreign NGOs and sponsors as well as the Indian Government, to the extension of houses, adaptation of syllabus which also responds to the requirement of the Indian federal secondary education system, and from 1980 onward the growing number of children and young Tibetans escaping from Tibet to receive proper education in India, and from 1990 onward, the tibetanisation programme atleast at the primary school level, Mrs Pema gave a vivid picture of the history of the Tibetan Children’s Villages in India which today take care of over 16000 children. She insisted on the vision of His Holiness to impart an equal development of the intellectual education and the quality of the heart in the education but also an education on peace and non violence.
Mrs Pema said that the responsibility of the Tibetan leaders are to give an education in the fullest sense of the term whereby every Tibetan could stand on its own feet, safeguard the Tibetan identity, develop community solidarity, and become a good human being. The entire audience was captivated by the personal involvement, truthfulness and innovative approach on the education of Mrs Jetsun Pema and the Tibetan leaders.
The second part of the talk was given by Mr Wangpo Bashi, Secretary of the Bureau du Tibet, Paris, on the political aspect of the Tibetan issue. He presented the contemporary history of Tibet, and continuous efforts of dialogue and reconciliation made by His Holiness in order to resolve the Tibetan issue. He stated that since 1978, the Tibetan leadership has given up the struggle for independence and calls for self-rule for the Tibetan people. He stated that the nature of the Tibetan struggle is not ideological but profoundly human ? it is the issue based on truth, justice, non violence and democracy. He urged everyone in the free world to fully exercise their democratic rights in helping the Tibetan people and to bring about the realisation of the durable solution through dialogue and peaceful initiatives of His Holiness.
On 19th November, Mrs Jetsun Pema will attend workshop on children’s games based on the theme of peace. School children of Digne are participating in different programmes since the town has declared ”
Friend of Unicef “.
Foundation Alexandra David Neel
27 avenue Marechal Juin
04000 Digne les Bains (France)
Telephone : 00 33 4 92 313238
Fax : 00 33 4 92 312808
Web : alexandra-david-neel.org
