Over 500 people have gathered for the first international conference on the Middle Way Policy (Umaylam) which is underway in Dharamshala. Members of the Tibetan parliament, representatives of various non-government organisations (NGOs), scholars and students are attending six-day conference which started on May 26. The conference aims to develop a better understanding and to look at the responsibilities involved for people who are to implement the Middle Way Approach, as well as to call on China to resume dialogue with the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the genuine autonomy of Tibet.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the delegates on May 30 saying, “The Middle Way Approach is the most practical approach and mutually beneficial to both the Tibetan and Chinese”. He continued, “I was the one who introduced Middle Way Approach and I must see it through”.
Chinese scholar Prof Ming Xia said that the Chinese people support the Middle Way Approach as evidenced by a very positive response from Chinese people to a statement he had posted online supporting the policy.
Pema Jungney, Speaker elect of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile spoke of the need for unity amongst Tibetans saying, “Whether one supports the Middle Way Approach or independence […] it is important that there is unity within us” and added that Tibetans must face China and not confront each other.He launched a newly published collection of speeches on Umaylam by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and former Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche.
The conference has been jointly organised by the People’s Movement for Middle Way, a Tibetan NGO based in Dharamshala and Youth for Umaylam – the Middle Way Approach (Y4U) from Minnesota, United States.
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