The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) president Lobsang Sangay stressed on the need for preserving Tibetan identity, culture, religion and language as the central core for a sustainable and strong Tibetan movement.
Addressing around 200 Tibetans who are living in Switzerland at the Paroisse Eaux-Vives Place de Jorgonnant in Geneva, he talked about CTA’s Five-Fifty Vision, Tibet’s future and strengthening the Tibetan freedom movement.
“As a Tibetan, it is important to remember to integrate but not to assimilate,” he added. He commended the Swiss and Liechtenstein Tibetan Sunday schools that are successfully teaching young Tibetans their native language, songs and dances etc.
“I think it is plausible and therefore encourage events such as Tibetan language essay competitions to emphasise the study of Tibetan language.“It is very important to inspire and encourage young Tibetans to study Tibetan language and culture and to use these in their daily lives,” he said.
Sangay stressed on the importance of community and said Tibetans based abroad need to have a community so that they can celebrate Tibetan festivities and observe events as Tibetan Losar, Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s birthday and Tibetan National Uprising Day together.
He briefed the crowd on the CTA’s ongoing Thank You Events celebrated in countries hosting Tibetans. The events, he said, has adhered to Dalai Lama’s advice on keeping old friends intact and making new friends along the way.