DHARAMSHALA, February 29: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay will receive the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse from the College Historical Society of Trinity College, Dublin tomorrow.
The College Historical Society of Trinity College, one of the most prestigious universities in Ireland, in announcing the honour said Dr Sangay’s message was “essential” for everyone to consider.
“As a spokesman for the cause of Tibet, Dr Sangay has taken the lead in advocating the rights of the Tibetan people around the world,” John Engle, Treasurer of the CHS said.
Reacting to the announcement, the 43-year old Harvard law graduate said he “humbly accepts the recognition on behalf of all the Tibetan people.”
“It has always been my belief that discourse and intellectualism are vital to the progress of the society,” Dr Sangay said. “The honour bestowed upon me strengthens my belief.”
Speaking to Phayul, personal assistant to Kalon Tripa, Jigme Namgyal said that Dr Sangay will be flying to Dublin from the Italian city of Milan today.
The de facto Tibetan Prime Minister is currently visiting Europe after concluding a tour of North America during which he interacted extensively with the media and met with local Tibetan communities.
Kalon Tripa arrived in Italy on February 27 at the invitation of the Presidents of Italian Autonomous Region of South Tyrol and Trento.
The democratically elected head of the Tibetan people called on President Luis Durnwalder of South Tyrol Autonomous Region and President Lorenzo Dellai of the Autonomous Region of Trento. The leaders expressed their concern at the ongoing situation inside Tibet and assured of their support for the Tibetan cause in the future as well.
In his briefings, Kalon Tripa said the continued repression in Tibet by the Chinese authorities had resulted in more protest from the Tibetans.
“The situation in Tibet is very grim with increasing number of self-immolations,” Dr Sangay said.
Since 2009, 23 Tibetans inside Tibet have set their bodies on fire demanding the rerun of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet.
Despite the tragic situation in Tibet, Kalon Tripa said the Tibetan “spirit and solidarity” will unite Tibetans both inside and in exile one day.
As part of the Gold Medal award ceremony, Kalon Tripa is scheduled to address the College Historical Society in Trinity College later in the afternoon tomorrow.
Recipients of the CHS Gold Medal include former British Prime Minister Sir John Major, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Aung San Su Kyi, Dr Shirin Ebadi and Archbishop Desmod Tutu, and former Irish President Mary Robinson among others.
Dr Sangay will return to Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration on March 3.
