Phuntsok Topgyal, the UN Advocacy Officer at the Tibet Bureau in Geneva, attended the event celebrating founding anniversary of the regional Centre For Middle Way Initiative of Switzerland at Tibet Institute Rikon, along with Abbot of the Tibet Institute Rikon on 28 July 2024.
It was also attended by Karma Choekyi, acting President of the Swiss and Liechtenstein Tibetan Community Association; Jampa Samdho, Co-President of the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Society; Swiss-based former Tibetan parliamentarians and former Representatives of the Office of Tibet, and others from non-governmental Tibetan civil societies.
The celebration commenced with traditional rituals of offering prayers and ceremonial white scarves before a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, followed by a welcome address from the president of the regional Centre For Middle Way Initiative, who also introduced the Middle Way Approach and the accomplishment it so far has achieved.
In his keynote address, Phuntsok Topgyal, the UN Advocacy Officer representing the Tibet Bureau’s Representative, emphasised the importance of ensuring that the slogans and statements used by Tibetans during protests or panel discussions are consistent with the principles of the Middle Way Approach. He urged the Centre to actively oversee this alignment and, when necessary, provide constructive guidance with genuine intentions to prevent political divisions and promote unity.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Secretary of the regional Centre For Middle Way Initiative.
