Chicago, USA: The Kalon Tripa (Political Leader) of Tibet Dr. Lobsang Sangay and His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with several world leaders and Nobel Peace Laureates on the second day of the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
In the first meeting of the day, both the Tibetan leaders met with the former Polish President and Nobel Peace Laureate and discussed an array of subjects. Among the many topics that were discussed in the short span were those that ranged from the current situation inside Tibet, the historic transfer of political powers in the exile Tibetan administration to the call for the release of Liu Xiaobo.
Expressing his desire to raise a strong call for the release of Liu Xiaobo, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to Lech Walesa about taking up a joint initiative for the cause. Dr. Sangay and the Dalai Lama then spoke with the former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev for over an hour which was followed by the Tibetan spiritual leader attending the final session of the day along with Gorbachev, Jody William and Muhammed Yunus.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama elaborated of the non-violent nature of the Tibetan freedom struggle and democratization of Tibetan Administration by stressing on the transfer of Political leadership to the democratically elected Leader who was born and educated in exile by expressing his trust in Sangay's competency and preparedness to lead the Tibetan movement.
Dr. Sangay Thursady met with Nobel peace prize winners FWD Clark for half an hour and Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi for forty five minutes at the ongoing 12th Noble Laureates Conference held in Chicago, United States.
As the political leader of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa informed them the present crisis in Tibet and the ongoing self-immolations by Tibetans to resist Chinese occupation. Since Tapey’s self-immolation on 16 March 2009, thirty-six Tibetans –monks, nuns, lay Tibetans – have set themselves on fire to protest China’s iron-grip occupation of Tibet. Of them, twenty-eight lost their lives.
All the Nobel Laureates present during Wednesday session unequivocally expressed their admiration for the historic transfer of political powers while ensuring their support to the new leadership and the Tibetan cause.
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his happiness over the firm stand of the new leadership on the Middle Way Policy to resolve the Tibetan Issue, Jody William focussed on the need for de-militarization in the world.
Muhammed Yunus elaborated on the ‘Grameen Bank' stressing on the thought that poor people have potential and need space to grow in the society whereas Mikhail Gorbachev stressed on the need for political reforms to be introduced without bloodshed.
Applauding the youth of the world who are standing up and speaking out in protest against injustice and inequality and defending the right to peace, social justice and a sustainable future The Nobel Summit's closing statement urged the youth to question leaders on the following issues -
1. Abolition of nuclear arms and other indiscriminate weapons and reduction of military spending
2. Bridging the divide between wealth and crushing poverty
3. Saving our planet from environmental disaster
4. Protection and promotion of human rights and equality between women and men
Dr. Lobsang Sangay is scheduled to address the Tibetan community in Chicago at 7.30am followed by the Dalai Lama's address to the Tibetan community.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is also scheduled to give a public talk on non-violence as well as on interfaith dialogue before addressing an event at Loyola University.
