Washington DC: This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Tibetan Democracy in exile, and it is also the 3rd general election of CTA President (Sikyong) and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. The Tibetans in more than 30 countries will go to the polls right after the US general election. This is an auspicious year to celebrate democracy, as democracy is very much threatened in China; Hong Kong is a classic example.
The impressive speaker list for the event included: MPP Bhutila Karpoche, Anne Marie from USAID, Derek Mitchell from National Democratic Institute, and the CTA’s Chief Election Commissioner, Wangdue Tsering Pesur. North America Tibet Association presidents, the Office of Tibet-DC staff members, staffers of the speakers, and the producers of the “Man of Compassion” documentary joined the virtual event as audience members.
Representative Ngodup Tsering hosted the event. He gave a speech on the importance of celebrating democracy, and a Tibetan Democracy Day song was played.
After the speakers’ speeches, the winners of the Office of Tibet-DC essay contest winners were announced; as part of the Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Office of Tibet-DC arranged an essay contest for two age groups: high school students and college students. The winners were Tenzin Choezom from Stuyvesant High School in New York and Kunsang Dorjee from Yale University. Both winners will receive a cash prize for their efforts. Their essays and other selected essays will be published in a commemorative book in the next few months.
Afterwards, the first three minutes of the “Man of Compassion” video documentary was played for the audience; the documentary was produced by Jon Kolkin, Art Howard, and the Office of Tibet-DC.
A question & answer segment followed Wangdu Tsering Pesur’s speech, where North America Tibet Association presidents asked questions. Secretary Tashi Dhondup gave the concluding remarks.
