Washington DC: Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup and Tibetan Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi from the Office of Tibet (OoT), Washington DC, made a four-day maiden official visit to the Tibetan community in Minnesota recently to meet and interact with the Tibetan residents there.
The two addressed the gathering at Tibetan Cultural School, apprised the Tibetan residents of OoT’s undertakings, attended the founding anniversary of Youth For Umaylam (Y4U), and carried out thorough discussion with the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota’s committee for materialising ‘Tibet Town’ vision.
Following the presentation of the school’s annual report by its Principal Passang Norbu, the Representative and Tibetan Liaison Officer reiterated the primary objective and intention of establishing the Tibetan Cultural School to aid in the preservation of dwindling Tibetan culture during their meeting with the school’s students and staff. Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup lauded the school’s administration for their dedicated contributions while underscoring the collaboration between teachers and parents in fulfilling their responsibilities of bringing up Tibetan youngsters.
At the gathering with Tibetan community of Minnesota, Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup briefed engagements carried out by Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Kalon Norzin Dolma, Department of Information and International Relations, during their visits to the United States. In addition, the Representative informed the Tibetan residents of advocacy campaign, contacting the US officials and lawmakers in government and parliament, and general operation of the OoT Washington. To highlight the significance of expediting resolution of the Tibet-China conflict, he implored Tibetans in the US to pool their efforts in gathering support from lawmakers in enacting the proposed “Promoting a Resolution to Tibet-China Conflict” bill.
Apart from interactions with the students and general members of the Tibetan community, Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup and Tibetan Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi also attended the commemoration of Youth For Umaylam’s founding anniversary. The Representative advised the members of Y4U, established by a group of Tibetan Youth in Minnesota to raise awareness of the Middle Way Policy of CTA, to participate in every campaign and undertakings organised by any Tibetan group for Tibet cause.
Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup and Tibetan Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi also discussed strategies for establishing a visioned ‘Tibet town’ in Minnesota with the committee affiliated with Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. The committee also aimed to open a Charter school for Tibetans. The Representative stressed stepping forward the project per the law and consenting support from the local residents to the members.
The Representative and Tibetan Liaison Officer concluded their visitation after meeting representatives of various religious associations (Dharma centres) who were gathered at Minnesota-based Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
