Tibetan professionals meet for the 1st GTP Summit

Monday, September 06, 2010

Phayul
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Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche addresses the first Global Tibetan Professionals' Summit, Sept 6, 2010

Dharamsala, September 6 - More than ninety Tibetan professionals from various parts of the world met today for a three day Global Tibetan Professionals Summit here.

The inaugural function of the first Global Tibetan Professionals' Summit held at the auditorium of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives today was presided over as the chief guest by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Dr. Y.S. Rajan - scientist, organization builder, diplomat, academic and a writer, and Kalon Tempa Tsering, a minister in the Tibetan cabinet and the current representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said that there are various interpretations of the word "professional" and that he felt the Tibetan equivalent being used by the summit as "Kyelepa" is the closest translation. The former academician said that professional is not to be interpreted as someone who earns a livelihood for him and his family by being in that profession but how one uses the profession to benefit the community at large. "Even the birds and animals feed their siblings and make nests and homes for them, we are humans, we must think beyond our livelihood when it comes to being a professional," said Rinpoche.

Dr. Kunchok Tsundue, the Chief Planning Officer of the Planning Commission and Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthok, the Secretary of Department of Education of the Tibetan government in exile also spoke to the participants in the morning session.

Empowering the Vision (ENVISION), a Delhi based NGO, which organized the summit hopes to bring together Tibetans worldwide representing diverse professional fields and provide a platform for Tibetan professionals to meet,interact and work together on a common ground to widen the scope of their contribution for the common good of the Tibetan community.

The key objective of the Summit is to come up with an action plan whereby the professionals in Tibetan Diaspora are able to make personal commitments to use their knowledge, expertise and energies to serve the Tibetan exile community, said Ms. Youdon Aukatsang, director of the organization.

Representatives from various departments of the Tibetan government in exile briefed the professionals who were divided into various group that engaged in intense group discussions and deliberations with each other across their different geographic regions and areas of work.

During His first meeting with over 40 Tibetan professionals in New Delhi on Sept 6, 2009, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “If the Tibetan professionals around the world are able to meet occasionally, develop good relationship among each other and represent Tibet and Tibetans wherever you live, it would be a great way to serve your community. It is very good to hear that you are all gathering together next year in a conference”.

Besides, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always encouraged Tibetans in becoming
professionals and contributing members to the community. In this year’s March 10 statement, His Holiness said “..Above all, as many young Tibetans as possible should strive to become experts and skilled professionals.”

The organizers aim to create a forum for Tibetan professionals to network and have direct exchange of ideas, to provide a forum to strategize on focus areas of contribution to the community and to provide a basis for future cooperation and exchange among the participants.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will grant a special audience to the Tibetan professionals tomorrow at his residence. The Kashag (Cabinet) hosted a dinner reception today for the participants of the summit.

Empowering the Vision Project in close cooperation with the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi launched the Global Tibetan Professionals Network (GTPN) in November 2008.