Sikyong Penpa Tsering on Saturday held an interactive session with Wisconsin-based Tibetan students and professionals during his visit program to North America. The objective of this program was to educate the Tibetan youth so that they can advocate the Tibetan cause to outsiders.
Sikyong Penpa briefed the youth about Tibet’s environmental status, Tibetan history, the spread of Buddhism from India to Tibet, about the Indo-Tibet historical relationship, the US-Tibet historical relationship, and the growing US support for Tibet.
Considering the importance of Tibet advocacy, Sikyong urged the youth to participate in the International Campaign for Tibet’s annual advocacy-related program.
During the Q&A session, Sikyong answered queries regarding US funding, the integration of Tibetan youth into society, the Voluntary-Tibet Advocacy Group, and concerns about social issues. In addition, he spoke about the volatile situation of the US and Europe political climate and his own views on a range of topics.
The youth interaction session was attended by President Tashi Dorje of the local Tibetan association, Wisconsin’s Tibetan Language school’s Principal Jampa Khedup, and the monastics of the Deer Park Monastery. Also, in attendance were CTA’s Finance Secretary Tenzin Lekdup and Kunga Tashi, Tibetan Liaison Officer, Office of Tibet, Washington-DC.
The youth interaction session with Sikyong was facilitated by Principal Jampa Khedup of the Tibetan Language school. President Tashi Dorje delivered the vote of thanks. Sikyong concluded his engagements in Wisconsin with a tour of the state.
In the afternoon, he was received by the Chicago Tibetan association’s Deputy and committee members for his interaction with the Tibetan community where he spoke about the Middle Way Approach; how Tibet was an independent nation according to history and the US efforts to pass a bill in the House regarding the same; the need to negotiate with the Chinese government to resolve the Tibet issue through a strengthened advocacy efforts in the global arena.
Furthermore, Sikyong spoke about the 16th Kashag’s efforts for the welfare of Tibetan settlers and to establish a firm foundation for the administration, the importance of the population survey and the new rules of the housing section. He also answered queries raised regarding the curriculum for the weekend school, online payment of the Greenbook dues, the condition of settlements in the Arunachal region, etc.
Coinciding with the public event, the Department of Education, CTA took the opportunity to have Sikyong present the excellence certificates to the toppers of the Chicago Tibetan weekend school including felicitation of the long-serving teacher of the weekend school, Lobsang Yarphel.
On Sunday, Sikyong interacted with the Chicago-based Tibetan youths and answered their queries concerning the US-Tibet relationship, the present status of Tibet under PRC rule, and the need to dispel the false narrative of Tibet’s history propagated by China. Following the talk, Sikyong conducted an assessment tour of the weekend school.
The Deputy and committee of the Tibetan association accompanied the Sikyong to the airport who departed for Washington DC. Upon arrival, Sikyong is scheduled to meet with the concerned officials of the funding agency and members of the House.
–Filed by the Office of Tibet, Washington DC
Students of the Tibetan language school perform a cultural dance.
Sikyong interacts with the local Tibetans.
Sikyong received by the local Tibetan community in Chicago.
Sikyong lights the butter lamp for the deities.
Chicago Tibetans waiting to welcome the Sikyong.
Sikyong presents a certificate to the teacher of the weekend school.
Sikyong addresses the Tibetan youth in Maddison, Wisconsin.
Group photo.
