Will Your Senators Meet the Dalai Lama in Parliament?

2 June 2011

Our email campaign to strengthen political support for Tibet during the Dalai Lama’s upcoming visit to Canberra on 14 June has received a great response from our members. In the last three weeks, 72 out of the 150 MPs and 60 out of the 76 Senators have been contacted to meet the Dalai Lama in Parliament House.

Please send an email to the Senators in your state and ask them to attend this important reception by following these simple steps.

The Dalai Lama’s visit to Parliament House offers a great opportunity to bring together decision-makers from both houses to discuss a range of issues from Tibet to the environment.

If you have not got a chance to email your MP, please click here.

We heard back from one of our long-term members who had never contacted her MP. When she heard of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Parliament House, she just had to make sure her MP was there to meet him. She wrote to her MP that the Dalai Lama’s unique approach to conflict resolution is the key to resolve the Tibet issue with China and that it is important her elected representative take this opportunity to talk to the Dalai Lama.

Send a strong message to your Senator today.

Please follow up on your emails to your MP and Senators. You also have the option of ringing their offices. Alternatively, you can leave a detailed message on their phones after hours.

Instructions to email your Senator:

    alt For a full list of Senators open this link: List of Senators by State and Territory and click on the Senators in your state for their contact details

    alt Once your have your Senators’ email addresses, write your own message or copy and paste the letter below to each Senator. Don’t forget to add a punchy subject line. Please cc your email to tibetcouncil@atc.org.au so that we can track which Senators are contacted.

    Dear Senator [Insert name]

    The Dalai Lama is visiting Parliament House on 14 June, 2011 and I understand that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet will host a reception for him. Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to hear from the Dalai Lama and to discuss issues from China-Tibet relations to universal responsibility and the environment. I am writing to request you to attend this special meeting with the Dalai Lama.

    As a constituent in your state, the meeting between you and the Dalai Lama is important to me. Nationally, we are fiercely debating issues such as climate change and refugees. Internationally, we are seeing sweeping changes and a rise in the movement for democracy. The meeting would allow you to share thoughts with the Dalai Lama - an advocate for the human values of freedom and democracy, and compassion and tolerance.

    The Dalai Lama is also a spokesperson of the Tibetan people, working to find a mutually beneficial solution with China. As an Australian believing in justice and non-violence, I would be happy if you could ask the Dalai Lama a question on how we can help him achieve this.

    You may also be aware that the Dalai Lama recently announced his intention to transfer his political power to an elected leader in exile. The recent election of his political successor is being hailed as a huge success for his vision of democratising the Tibetan society.

    I understand that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet will send you an invitation in the coming weeks. Please contact the office of Mr Michael Danby, MP, convenor of the group, for more details.

    Once again, I request you to avail yourself of the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama.

    Sincerely,
    [Add your name]