Sikyong Awarded for his Strong Leadership

By Tsering Wangdue / June 2, 2015;

Sikyong at the gala event in Toronto
Photo: Tibet.net

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (Central Tibetan Administration), visit the United States and Canada in the month of May. The seven-day visit was aimed at forging closer ties with overseas Chinese scholars and students, earning more international support and meeting Tibetan communities there.

On May 12 Sikyong attended a dialogue with over 40 Chinese scholars and students in Washington DC, Care for the future of Tibet?, an event organised by Initiatives for Chinese, a global grassroots level movement working towards a peaceful transition to democracy in China.

He spoke of the importance of building trust between Tibetan and Chinese people through dialogue and mutual understanding and explained the CTA’s Middle-Way Approach which does not challenge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, but seeks a genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Chinese constitution.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay with Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of US House of Representatives and Former House Speaker
Photo: Tibet.net

As well as meeting members of congress, including Ms Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of US House of Representatives and Mr Tom Cotton, Senator from Arkansas; government agencies and other influential people in Washington DC, Sikyong met officers and staff of the various offices of Tibet in Washington, and on his final day there, he met members of the Tibetan community, bringing them up to date with the activities the CTA.

Dr Sangay then left for Toronto, Canada where he was the Chief Guest at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre Annual Gala Event which was dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to mark the 80th anniversary of his birth. Sikyong was presented with a special “CTAO Gyatoen Award” for his strong leadership, unwavering support, and commitment to the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sikyong gave a public talk, with an update on the policies and activities of the CTA, saying “The bulk of our budget is allotted to scholarship and education, as well as welfare schemes for the aged and the poor”. He also reaffirmed the CTA’s firm commitment to the Middle-Way Approach to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue.

Sikyong returned to India on May 20.