Contact is taking a holiday!

Sikyong addressing Tibetan community in Canberra Photo: Namgyal Tsewang/CTA

The Canberra-based Office of Tibet of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) organized a “Thank You Australia” event, which was celebrated by the Tibetan community there, at the Australian Parliament building on December 5. Australia’s Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt, graced the occasion as the special guest. The event was also attended by about 15 members of Australian Parliament, Tibetan dignitaries and members of the local Tibetan community.

At the event, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay referred to the Tibetan journey beginning with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s escape into exile 60 years ago and the resilience of the Tibetan diaspora with the support of international communities like the Australian government and various support groups. He recounted the numerous discussions held on Tibet, including the approximately 2200 statements that were made in the Australian Parliament, and praised the country’s magnanimous support in the special provision for Tibetan immigrants who are former political prisoners. Additionally, he highlighted the country’s exemplary work in its rehabilitation of Tibetan immigrants, as Australia currently hosts 2300 Tibetan immigrants, 1363 of which are former political prisoners. He added that Australia “has set a good record to follow.”

      Members from Canberra Tibetan community at Sikyong’s talk                Photo: Namgyal Tsewang/CTA

Wyatt, the event’s special guest, explained that the similar trajectory shared by Tibetans and the indigenous people of Australia helped to naturally draw strong support for the Tibetan people. The Minister also expressed his understanding of the Tibetan struggle to preserve their identity and reassured continued support for the Tibetan cause. Other guests from different political parties also conveyed their experience working with the Tibetan people and supporting its cause.

Ms Kyizom Dongdue, a Tibetan Parliamentarian based in Australia, also spoke of the surge in discussion on China owing to the growing Chinese influence within the country, and expressed her gratitude toward the Australian government and its people for their support of the Tibetan cause.