Mr Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, gave a talk in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 'Conflict Resolution: the Tibetan Solution' on Wednesday. the 13th of October
The event was hosted jointly by Tibet Support Group Grampian based in
Aberdeen and the University of Aberdeen Politics and International
Relations Society. The Tibet Support Group Grampian was formed in 1993
when His Holiness was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University
of Aberdeen.
The
subject of the talk was based on the Memorandum for Genuine Autonomy
for Tibet formulated by the Central Tibetan Administration, which
proposes a middle way between complete subjection and full independence
and is seen as a possible way out of many conflicts though out the
world. As such, it was thought to be particularly relevant to students
undertaking a degree in politics and international relations,
especially in the Scottish context, where a thriving Scottish
Parliament at Edinburgh maintains extensive autonomous powers within
the wider United Kingdom. The idea had, in fact, been initiated during
a meeting at the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for Tibet
earlier this year.
The talk proved extremely popular with over 100 people filling the
lecture hall, mostly students. The large turnout spoke of the
continuing importance of the Tibetan issue on the world stage.
Mr Samdup spoke at length regarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama's work
in negotiating a peaceful settlement of the issue of Tibet with the
Chinese government, and the importance of a speedy resolution during
the lifetime of His Holiness.
The following day, in-depth discussions were held between the representative and Tibet Support Group Grampian members.
This was a much-valued visit to Aberdeen from the Representative of His
Holiness which owed much of its success to the decision to hold it
jointly between the university and the local Tibet support group.
Particular thanks go to the School of Social Science, who helped fund
the talk and the Politics and International Relations Society for
publicising the talk amongst the student body, the organisers said.
The
subject of the talk was based on the Memorandum for Genuine Autonomy
for Tibet formulated by the Central Tibetan Administration, which
proposes a middle way between complete subjection and full independence
and is seen as a possible way out of many conflicts though out the
world. As such, it was thought to be particularly relevant to students
undertaking a degree in politics and international relations,
especially in the Scottish context, where a thriving Scottish
Parliament at Edinburgh maintains extensive autonomous powers within
the wider United Kingdom. The idea had, in fact, been initiated during
a meeting at the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for Tibet
earlier this year.