Four Days of Operation Groundswell Education Tour in Dharamsala (1st August to 4th August, 2017)

Tibetan Women’s Association is happy to report that OG group of 11 students visiting Dharamsala twice every year to learn about Tibetan culture, religion, political situation and exile community has successfully completed its 4 Days program with the enthusiastic participation from the students studying in different Universities of USA, Canada and UK.

1st Day- The first day of the program started by visiting and getting introduced to various NGOs around Dharamsala led by Ms. Dawa Dolma, Environment Officer, TWA along with the OG group leaders Sarah and Taylor.
First session of the day was with Tibetan Women’s Association followed by Tibetan Youth Congress, Lha Charitable Trust, International Tibet Network, Students for a Free Tibet-India and then concluded the day with Gu Chu Sum. All the NGOs gave one hour duration to brief about ones organization followed by Q&A session. Group also had their lunch at Soup Kitchen from Lha Charitable Trust.

2nd Day- On the second day, the group was made to gather at Settlement Office Environment hall and Ms. Tsering Tsomo La, the Director of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy joined the group to talk about Human Rights Violation inside Tibet followed by a brief meeting with Ama Adhe La who is an ex-political prisoner. Ama Adhe La shared her story of torture and repression in Tibet under Chinese’s occupation with the group and it was one of the best sessions according to them.

3rd Day- The third day began from Tibetan Nun’s Project, Dolma Ling where the Co-Director, Ven. Lobsang Dechen La showed the group a video clip detailing about the Tibetan Nun’s Empowering Projects and then gave further explanation on the same topic by her. They were then taken a round of the nunnery followed by a tour around the museum and craft centers at Norbulingka Institute. The afternoon session was with Ms. Tenzin Choezin La, the Head Consultant at Tibetan Career Centre where she gave an inspiring talk about the Gender Equality in Tibetan Diaspora. She wrapped up with an informal discussions listening and responding to the gender equality from the respective participant’s country followed by Q&A.

4th Day- On the last day of the OG Education tour, the group was trained a half day about Conflict Resolution by Mrs. Sonam Dechen La, the Associate Director of Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution at Settlement Office Environment hall. Afternoon session was with Mr. Tenzin Tsundue La, a Tibetan Activist, Poet and Writer. Tsundue La focused on Tibet’s issue not being aware and solved due to globalization wherein China is economically one of the most powerful countries in the world therefore there exist several trade allies for them and on the other hand Tibet doesn’t have the power to play that globalization card.
We then gave an adieu to the 4 days of Operation Groundswell tour at Dharamsala successfully with a feedback session followed by a farewell dinner with the participants.