A common space for harmonic peacemakers

Over 8,000 people gathered at the heart of Zurich city to express solidarity with Tibet

Zurich (Switzerland), 10 April 2010

Over 8,000 people gathered at Münsterhof, in the heart of Zurich city to express solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people.

His Holiness at the Tibet Solidarity-Rally in Zurich

“Expressing solidarity with our cause is very useful to remind China of the Tibetan cause,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “I very much appreciate it.” He further said that the Chinese Government must address the reality of the Tibetan problem. His Holiness added that he was 100 percent certain that the Tibetan issue will not disappear, despite China using force and suppression on the Tibetan people. He reiterated that he was not seeking separation from China.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he welcomed people’s support of Tibet’s non-violence struggle and asked them to also practice non-violence at home.

Solidarity rally is important for the Tibetan struggle, as it snow that it is not the struggle of few Tibetans but ordinary people worldwide are showing support. His Holiness spoke about two of his three commitments in life 1) human value and 2) religious harmony.

At the end of His Holiness’ address at the Solidarity Rally, he said, “So my brothers and sisters, please think of these two points. Please promote these two points. If you do this, it shows you are a good friend of the Dalai Lama.”

In the morning, His Holiness addressed the First European Tibetan Youth Parliament. The aim of the Youth Parliament is to bring together young Tibetans from across Europe to discuss Tibetan issue and working together across Europe especially.

His Holiness addressing the First European Tibetan Youth Parliament

Tendon Dahortsang, the President of Tibetan Youth Association in Europe in her welcome address said, “Though we have grown up in different parts of the world, we are Tibetans and to serve the Tibetan people’s struggle.”

She said that during her first visit to Tibet in 2002, she met an elderly Tibetan in Lhasa who asked where she came from. During their talk, the elderly Tibetan said that the Tibetan people in Tibet have great expectations from the Tibetan in exile community especially the youth.

The president (left) and vice-president (right) of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe accompanying His Holiness

The First European Tibetan Youth Parliament conference is organized by the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe, based in Switzerland. This year Tibetan Youth Association in Europe is marking the 40th Anniversary since it was founded.

In his address to the First European Tibetan Youth Parliament, His Holiness said that that the older Tibetan generation is dying. It is the responsibility of the younger generation to continue the struggle of Tibet. In 2008, the world heard the suffering of three generation of Tibetan.

“We are the representatives of the Tibetans in Tibet. Thinking about the future of Tibet is important,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.