Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Dec 11: Enhancing Tibetan weekend schools, strengthening advocacy efforts, and organizing celebrations for the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2025 were among the key resolutions passed during the 22nd North American Tibetan Associations (NATA) conference, which was convened in Washington, D.C., from December 8 to 9.
The event organised by the Office of Tibet and Capital Area Tibetan Association, Washington D.C. brought together over 50 representatives from Tibetan associations across 26 states in the United States and Canada.
Speaking to Phayul, Tenzin Lhamo, the president of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM), outlined the key resolutions adopted during the conference. “During this year’s NATA conference, we have passed a number of resolutions, but the most important resolutions made are the efforts to advocate the Tibetan cause in North America, improve and provide more support from the concerned associations on enhancing cultural weekend schools for Tibetan students, and planning celebrations for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday next year with the Office of Tibet and the support of all the Tibetan associations in North America,” she said.
President Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), who is currently on an official trip to the United States from December 6th to 23rd, inaugurated the conference. During his address, he provided an update on the preparations being led by the Goton Committee, chaired by the Secretary of Kashag. He noted that the International Campaign for Tibet has already planned several programs for the United States to commemorate 90th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The head of the exile polity also encouraged Tibetan associations to submit details of their initiatives to the CTA to help create a unified calendar of events for the celebrations.
President Tsering further stated that there is a need for accurate data of the Tibetan people’s census when engaging with foreign dignitaries. “One of the most common questions posed by such officials is, ‘How many Tibetans reside inside Tibet and in the diaspora?’” he remarked. He explained the essential role of regional Tibetan associations in gathering reliable data and urged them to assist in compiling household listings to provide a clearer picture of the Tibetan population.
He further appealed to Tibetan associations to issue formal statements on two key matters: the authority of His Holiness regarding his reincarnation and the preservation of the Gaden Phodrang institution. He stressed that in the modern world, evidence and documentation are indispensable in supporting these critical issues.
