Hi everyone!
This post is a special shout out to Tibetans of Mixed Heritage and friends.
After successful gatherings in London, Zurich and New York, the Mixed Tibetans team are pleased to announce that our program will take place in Dharamsala, India, between 9 and 13 October 2017. This will be the first time that a gathering of this kind will take place in Dharamsala and we’re excited to share this news with our Lhakar Diaries family and continue these important discussions about Tibetan identity and culture.
The conference in Dharamsala will be the largest programme run for Tibetans of Mixed Heritage yet, taking place over five days. Participants will have an opportunity to network, share experiences and create channels of conversations regarding identity, culture and contribution to the global Tibetan communities, all while being in Tibet’s exile capital. Over the five days, participants will also have a chance to witness exile institutions at work, be introduced to Tibetan NGOs, meet specialists in the field of Tibetan studies, art, and strategists in the Tibetan Freedom Movement, as well as getting to know the structure and work of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
Georgina Doji, 31, former participant and co-organiser of the October gathering has said, “The Tibetans of Mixed Heritage network began as a small, committed group of people and has steadily grown into a vibrant, welcoming, global community. Holding a gathering in Dharamsala will not only be a wonderful chance for Tibetans of mixed heritage to come together in the heart of the Tibetan community in exile, but will also allow old and new participants to network and build on the discussions and projects which began in earlier meetings. I look forward to further exploring the creativity and thoughtfulness which have shaped the conversations so far and seeing what it will be that we can take from this conference into the future.”
Attendees of past gatherings have travelled from the UK, US, Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and India to participate. It is hoped that this programme will attract new participants from across the world to join this growing movement and share their ideas.
Participants will engage with a varied formal programme comprising of workshops and moderator-facilitated forums, as well as a number of panel discussions and talks from guest speakers. The organisers hope to provide useful basic information such as how to register for a Green Book. There will also be informal evenings and time to socialise and enjoy Dharamsala. Speakers and trainers at previous gatherings in Europe have included activists Golog Jigme and Lhadon Tethong, verbal communications expert Pemma Fox, artist Ugyen Choephell and former Europe Chitue Wangpo Tethong.
The organisers of the Dharamsala conference of Tibetans of Mixed Heritage are grateful to Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and the Central Tibetan Administration for their support and assistance in organising this conference.
Registration is now open for participants of mixed Tibetan descent aged 18 and over. For more information please visit mixedtibetans.net or email mixedtibetans@gmail.com.
Tibetans of Mixed Heritage Organising Committee,
Tashi Dondup, Colorado, USA
Kunsang Kelden, New York, USA
Georgina Doji, Cambridge, UK
Dominik Knoepfel, Arizona, USA
