Report from the World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet

I am on my way back from attending the 5th World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet (WPCT) in Rome. Let me share some observations.

First, we must remember how busy the job of a member of parliament is. Given all the demands on them, it was energizing to see 133 legislators and associates from 30 countries devote the time to travel to and participate in this conference.

While some parliaments were not represented due to legislative session (such as the U.S., UK and Germany), participants (with ICT’s support) will work to ensure they are briefed on the outcome. A letter of support from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was read at the conference.

Second, there is a reason they came: their desire to do something concrete for Tibet. The WPCT agenda was substantive and informative, as was the participants’ engagement.

I can’t help but contrast this event to the experience of parliamentary delegations to Tibet, who report to us that their Chinese handlers fill their agenda with sightseeing tours and staid meetings with party officials armed with standard talking points, where “discussions” are mostly give and minimal take. Some parliamentarians at the convention, such as Lord Steel (read his report here), reported on their travels in Tibet.

Third, there was serious interest in ensuring that the convention produce deliverables to help parliamentarians advocate for and collaborate on Tibet. You can read the Rome Declaration adopted by the 5th WPCT at:
http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/tibet-news/rome-declaration-tibet.

Please note the last item in the declaration, which pledges to establish an interparliamentarians network for Tibet, with a secretariat to provide resources and facilitate information sharing. There was much talk at the convention about how legislators can adopt “best practices” from fellow parliaments, both in the policy and programmatic realms. Creation and sustainment of this network with be key in helping parliamentarians reach the goals they identified.

Fourth, I was struck by not only the geographical range of the participants (from El Salvador to South Africa to Estonia to Tuva in the Russian Federation), but also by the thirst of the parliamentarians in these regions, where Tibet movements are nascent but growing), for help in building capacity in their governments for Tibet.

ICT, a co-organizer of the WPCT, will do what we can to facilitate these efforts, building on our experience of working with parliaments in Europe and North America, and coordinating with Tibet support groups around the world.

Photo Caption: His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the 5th World Parliamentarian Convention on Tibet in Rome, 18 November 2009. (tibet.net)

2 Responses to “Report from the World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet”

1. Edwards paul says:

   Friday, January 8, 2010 at 12:36 am

   It’s very good reports to Tibet !
2. Roman says:

   Friday, November 20, 2009 at 3:51 pm

   Good report! Thanks.