Hunsur: A five-day workshop titled “Strengthening Democracy at the Grass-Root Level,” organized by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, began in Hunsur, Karnataka on July 29, 2024. The workshop is being led by parliamentarians Youdon Aukatsang and Khenpo Jamphal Tenzin.

Participants include members of the Local Tibetan Assembly, as well as settlement officers and members from the Rabgyaling Tibetan Settlement in Hunsur, Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement in Kollegal, and the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement of Dekyi Larsoe and Lugsung Samdupling Tibetan Settlements in Bylakupee.

The opening ceremony, in the presence of the resource persons and participants of the workshop, witnessed singing of the Tibetan national anthem and observation of a minute of silence to mark their respect to the martyrs of Tibet, followed by Hunsur TSO Tenzin Dadon’s welcome address and address from LTA Chair Dawa Tenzin.

Addressing the gathering, Parliamentarian Khenpo Jamphal Tenzin highlighted the significance of the provision of local administration as enshrined in the charter of Tibetans in exile while emphasizing the uniformity of LTA procedure and conduct of business across Tibetan settlements and role of Local Tibetan Assemblies in scrutinizing the working of their respective settlement officers. He finally added, “Democracy will be the greatest gift the Tibetans in exile can offer to those in Tibet, if we are fortunate enough to reunite one day.”

Parliamentarian Youdon Aukatsang reflected on the greatness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the deep gratitude Tibetans have for him. She highlighted the importance of preserving Tibetan culture and identity while advancing with a strong moral foundation. Parliamentarian Aukatsang also outlined the workshop’s goals, emphasizing the principles of free and equal participation in a democracy, where leadership is accountable to established rules and regulations. She underscored the significance of ensuring equal opportunities for discussion, deliberation, and decision-making in the democracy, striving for the best form of democracy. The ceremony concluded with participants introducing themselves.

Parliamentarian Khenpo Jamphal Tenzin will conduct the workshop on parliamentary procedure and conduct of business of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and parliamentarian Youdon Aukatsang will conduct the workshop on the rules of budget of the Central Tibetan Administration.

This is the 10th LTA workshop organized by the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile since its constitution with previous LTA workshops held at Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Phuntsokling (Odisha), Sonamling (Ladakh UT), Gangtok (Sikkim), Salugara (West Bengal), Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Bir (Himachal Pradesh), and Guwahati (Assam) respectively.

The LTA workshops are aimed to strengthen democracy at the grass root level by imparting the participants with detailed information of the Central Tibetan Administrative, the Budget Policy, proceeding of the Parliamentary session, and others to make informed decisions and to hold public offices accountable.

This program is supported by USAID through National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD).