By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, July 5: A congregation of more than 100 delegates from various parts of United States, Europe, Canada as well as India representing progressive pro-independence approach for the Tibetan cause recently concluded in New York City after three days of meeting from July 1-3. However, the largest pro independence group of the exile Tibetan community, the Tibetan Youth Congress, appears to have kept itself away from this conference its president is not seen in the picture taken upon conclusion.
The three day ‘International Rangzen Conference’ financed entirely from public donations deliberated on the passing of 6 resolutions, prime of which was to urge the exile government to consider the formation of political parties and inclusion of such an amendment in the Central Tibetan Administration Charter.
One of the conference organizers Tenzin Wangdue told Voice of Tibet radio, “The conference was a success with all of the delegates expressing satisfaction over the conclusive resolutions that were passed. In particular, the fourth resolution urging the formation of political parties in the exile setup is a much needed model considering the unwanted frictions and chaos that rose from regionalism in the recent Tibetan election. The model promotes equality for all Tibetans.” The suggestions gathered from the medium will also be submitted to the recently formed ‘Electoral reform committee’ in Dharamshala.
The conference honored individuals who had contributed towards pro-independence movement in the Tibetan exile world. Some of the awardees of the ‘Rangzen Award’ include Lhasang Tsering, Jamyang Norbu, Sonam Wangdue and Dawa Gyalpo who was one of the eight Tibetans who sat for a TYC organized hunger strike unto death campaign in 1998. Other key developments from the meet include collaborative ventures with other activist groups, lobbying efforts to reach global leaders and diplomats and also developing contingency plans and proposals should there be a change in China’s governing policies for Tibet.
The forum has been considered as one of the key events in the calendar of the pro-independence struggle with the current conference being the third edition of the ‘International Rangzen Conference’. The first and the second conferences were held in Dharamshala and New Delhi respectively.
