EU Body Inspired By Tibetan Community In Exile

Dharamshala: The visiting delegation from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), a consultative body of the European Union, said "they were highly impressed by the model of civil society and democracy in the exile Tibetan community".

The delegates visited the Tibetan reception centre to meet the newly arrived refugees, and to the Tibetan Children's Village school. They also observed the opening session of the Tibetan Parliament on 8 March.

Mr. Henri Malosse, President of Employer's Group of the EESC, said the European Parliament has proposed a resolution for a total budget of 32 million Euro for the education and welfare of Tibetans living inside Tibet. “This budget is to benefit the Tibetan people for their education, welfare, farming and nomad settlements etc,” Mr. Malosse said.
 
Ms. Anne-Marie Sigmund, head of the delegation, said the purpose of the Dharamsala visit was to get a complete information about the Tibetan issue before making a final report. The delegates wanted to know about the living conditions and challenges faced by Tibetans in exile, Ms Sigmund added.

The delegates said the EESC aims to support the exile Tibetan community in building entrepreneurship, and to help establish business opportunities, like developing links with the European markets. The delegates said they plan to present proposals to the EESC to provide funds for projects on small scale industries in the Tibetan community.

Ms. Madi Sharma, member of EU-India Follow-up Committee said, “We want to put more women in the decision making process within the community because the women are the ones to develop the next generation, and  the women are the one's who have as His Holiness the Dalai Lama told me, the compassion. We need to promote more compassion in the world.”

source tibet.net