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Sikyong receiving NED’s citation honouring Tibetan democracy in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Photo:tibet.net

Tibetan Prime Minister or Sikyong, Dr Lobsang Sangay was honoured by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington on June 15 in recognition of the democratic accomplishments of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile (CTA).

He was given a framed certificate with the United States preamble on one side, and an excerpt from the CTA’s preamble on other. Mr Martin Frost, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NED, led the presentation in the presence of Tibet’s spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, US Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, long time Tibet supporter Mr Richard Gere and Senator Diane Feinstein, as well as other friends of Tibet.

“This recognition and honour of Tibetan democracy will send a strong message of hope to the Tibetans inside Tibet and a message of solidarity to the Tibetan political prisoners,” said Dr Sangay as he accepted the document. “I feel fortunate to have received this honour on behalf of the CTA in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is an honour to head the democratic institution envisioned by His Holiness.”

Dr Lobsang Sangay also spoke about the strength and evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile under the vision and guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Mr Frost expressed the organisation’s admiration of the guidance His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives to the Tibetan people. He said that the success of the Tibetans in exile was “neither predetermined nor guaranteed” under the circumstances but that they have “thrived under the leadership of His Holiness and the Central Tibetan Administration.”

Sikyong speaking about the evolution of Tibetan democracy
Photo: tibet.net

“Even after six decades of exile, Tibetans have retained a distinct sense of identity and community. There are many reasons to honour the Central Tibetan Administration but principally among them is the establishment of an effective and representative government,” he said. He further added that the recognition from NED was a symbol of their democratic solidarity with the Tibetan people.

Apart from the NED event, Dr Lobsang Sangay, who is on a 9 day official visit to Washington, will also meet dignitaries and senior officials from US government and non-government organisations and will be back in his office in Dharamshala on June 19.