28 July 2011

All eyes will be set on Dr Lobsang Sangay as he is sworn in as the new political leader on 8 August, marking a generational shift in Tibetan politics and democracy. But perhaps no other figure has played a more major role in the Tibetan political establishment over the last 52 years in exile than Mr Lodi Gyari or Gyari Rinpoche as is popularly known among the Tibetans.

And Australia Tibet Council is excited to bring him to our shores next month (22-28 August) for a series of meetings with politicians, academics and journalists. (Read below for public events.)

Gyari Rinpoche is the Special Envoy of the Dalai Lama and has led the Tibetan delegation in talks with the Chinese government for the last decade, working to chart a future roadmap for the Tibetan people. Based in Washington, he has a distinguished career of political lobbying with the US government for close to 20 years. Prior to his posting in the US, he was a cabinet minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the chairman of the parliament-in-exile in Dharamsala.

The upcoming visit by this doyen of Tibet politics is a great opportunity for us to better understand the dynamics of the Tibet-China relationship, the aspirations of the Tibetan exiles and China’s approach toward resolution of the Tibet issue. For ATC and our friends in the Parliament, we particularly look forward to gaining Gyari Rinpoche’s insights on political advocacy work. He was a key figure in working for the passing by the US Congress of the Tibet Policy Act in 2002 and the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness in 2007.

Following on from the successful visit by His Holiness in June, we are excited to be organising the next high-profile Tibetan visitor to the Parliament in Canberra. The Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy will discuss the political opportunities for Tibet and push the Australian government to encourage China to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Tibetans.

Due to Gyari Rinpoche’s hectic schedule during his one-week trip, we are able to organise only one public event in Sydney. This is a rare opportunity to hear from such an experienced Tibetan advocate, so I encourage you to come along. Please let your friends and families know if you don’t live in Sydney.

Sydney
Public talk: “The Way Forward - Tibetan Prospects for Genuine Autonomy”

Date: 26 August
Time: 6.30pm-8pm
Venue: Mitchell Theatre, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt St, Sydney
Cost: $20 (A glass of wine or juice included)
Please RSVP to tibetcouncil@atc.org.au or phone 02-9283 3466

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you at the public talk.