Washington DC: On the morning of 11 December, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, accompanied by Representative Namgyal Choedup visited the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for a breakfast meeting with Damon Wilson, President of NED, and Pema Tulotsang, Senior Program Officer at NED. During the hour-long meeting, they engaged in discussions on significant issues, including the current situation inside Tibet and issues concerning the Tibetan diaspora. Sikyong and Representative Namgyal Choedup expressed their gratitude to Damon for graciously allowing the use of the NED Conference Hall for the 22nd NATA Conference.
Immediately following the meeting, Sikyong proceeded to the office of Voice of America (VoA) Tibetan, where he gave an exclusive interview discussing his ongoing U.S. tour and U.S. policy towards Tibet.
Following the interview, Sikyong met with Camaran Pipes, Director of Asia Programs, and Yaqiu Wang, Research Director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Freedom House. Their discussions focused on the plight of Tibetans within Tibet, with Sikyong emphasising the issue of Sinicization in Tibet and its grave implications. Later, Sikyong and Representative Namgyal Choedup were joined by Geshe Monlam and Norsang from the Monlam AI team for a meeting with Paul Grove from the Senate Appropriations Committee.
In the evening, Sikyong attended the renaming ceremony hosted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building. During the event, Chairman Michael McCaul, an ardent supporter of Tibet, delivered a keynote speech, welcoming the newly elected Chair, Brian Mast. Chairman McCaul emphasised the importance of moral clarity in challenging times, urging the necessity of having a sense of purpose and doing what is right, even when it is difficult. He spoke about the value of standing in the arena and fighting for a cause greater than oneself. To illustrate his point, McCaul shared a profound conversation he had with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Reflecting on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s perspective, he recalled asking His Holiness, “Don’t you harbour ill will against China?” to which His Holiness responded, “I cannot harbour negative energy, as it will destroy my soul.” McCaul emphasised the transformative and life changing nature of His Holiness’s perspective and remarked, ‘When we look back, it will ultimately be about what we have done for civilisation.’ The day concluded with Sikyong paying a courtesy call on the newly elected Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Brian Mast.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering 6th Day Visits in U.S.
