Central Tibetan Admn celebrates 36th anniv of Nobel Peace Prize conferment on Dalai Lama

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Wednesday commemorated the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on the Dalai Lama. The occasion brought together a diverse set of international delegations from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Chile, the Czech Republic, France and Italy.

However, the Dalai Lama was not present in the function. He has left McLeodganj for Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka. He will stay there for at least six weeks. He will also visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka on January 5 next year.

Here in McLeodganj, the ceremony began with the rendition of the Tibetan and Indian national anthems followed by a song dedicated to the occasion. The President (Sikyong) of Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering presented the Kashag’s (parliament-in-exile) statement, recalling the global significance of Dalai Lama’s teachings on non-violence, compassion and universal responsibility.

Among the most prominent delegation was a large team from the Czech Republic, led by Senate Vice President Jitka Seitlová, including senators, deputies, senior parliamentary staff, academics, media representatives and long-time Tibet supporters. They were accompanied by CTA representative Thinley Chukki. The delegation members highlighted the historic bond between Tibet and the Czech Republic, rooted in the friendship between Dalai Lama and former Czech President Václav Havel.

Australia was represented by Senator Barbara Pocock, MP Kate Chaney and MP Sarah Jane Witty, while MPs Greg Fleming and Duncan Webb formed the New Zealand delegation. Fiji MP Virendra Lal attended the function on behalf of his country. The delegation from the Pacific region were accompanied by representative Karma Singey and members of the Australia Tibet Council.

Chile sent a high-level group led by Senator-elect Vlado Mirosevic, joined by several deputies and members of the Chilean Friends of Tibet. French MP Samantha Cazebonne and Italian Tibet supporters Guenther Cologna and Lucy Battu represented Europe.

The speakers from each country reaffirmed their support for the Tibetan cause, praising the Dalai Lama’s lifelong advocacy for peace and human dignity. The Fiji MP Virendra Lal reflected on Dalai Lama’s resilience and moral leadership, while New Zealand MP Greg Fleming stressed the importance of safeguarding Tibetan language, culture and identity. The French MP Cazebonne underscored the universal value of the Dalai Lama’s message of empathy and dialogue.

Chile’s Vlado Mirosevic condemned rights violations inside Tibet, including restrictions on religious freedom and the forced assimilation of Tibetan children. Australian Senator Barbara Pocock called for an end to the colonial boarding school system in Tibet and expressed solidarity with Tibetans facing repression.

The Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivered a statement on behalf of the Tibetan community and its elected representatives. The event also featured the launch of a new book by Kunchok Tsering and a pictorial volume introducing children to Tibetan democracy.