Minnesota: Tibetan Parliamentarians from North and South America, Tenzing Jigme and Thondup Tsering, successfully concluded their official visit to Minnesota, the USA, from October 19 to 20, 2024.

During their visit, the Parliamentarians engaged with students at the Tibetan Culture School. At the morning assembly, MP Thondup Tsering emphasized the vital role of youth in the West in maintaining the Tibetan language and cultural heritage. This was followed by a meeting with school teachers, who shared some of the major challenges they are faced with and offered suggestions for enhancing the school’s curriculum.

In the afternoon, the two representatives held a public talk, outlining the structure and evolution of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. They addressed the pressing situation in Tibet, urging the community to remain united and actively contribute to the movement for Tibetan rights. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing participants to share concerns or propose suggestions related to the Parliament and broader Tibetan struggle.

Later that evening, the Parliamentarians were honored as chief guests at the 17th Anniversary Celebration of the conferment of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This event saw a strong participation from the local community and underscored the importance of the many enduring contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to world peace and religious understanding and the need for continued support for the Tibetan cause.

The programs during this official visit were organized by the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.