Kalon Tripa inaugurates Tibet Policy Institute

DHARAMSHALA, February 15: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay formally inaugurated the Tibet Policy Institute, a new policy and research think tank under the Central Tibetan Administration, earlier today at a small ceremony held at the Kashag Secretariat, Dharamshala.

In line with other think tanks, Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) carries a mandate to function as a research-oriented intellectual platform and look into the various issues and challenges facing the exile administration.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Dr Sangay said TPI will conduct research on the overall position of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in the next five to 50 years, the state of Sino-Tibetan relations as well as the welfare of the Tibetans in exile.

“As the exile administration is engaged in its day-to-day administrative responsibilities, a separate institute is needed that will look far into the future and carry definite policy study based on thorough analysis and research,” Dr Sangay said.

Drawing from his own personal expertise in the field, the 43-year old Harvard law graduate stressed on the importance of maintaining “objectivity and impartiality” in research and encouraged TPI to host Indian and international scholars as part of their activities.

“I hope TPI will be able to become an intellectual hub in Dharamshala from where Tibetans especially the staff of CTA can enrich their knowledge and understanding on various issues relating to Tibet,” Kalon Tripa said.

Hinting at the need of ‘Political Officers’ in the various representative offices of CTA around the world, at par with other embassies, Dr Sangay noted the vital role TPI could play in meeting those requirements.

The newly appointed Director of the Institute, Thubten Samphel said that the team of researches under his guidance will give their “best possible efforts” in carrying out thorough research on various aspects of the Tibetan issue including human rights, environment, education and culture.

Samphel, who is a senior secretary and the spokesperson of the exile administration, will take formal charge of the institute on March 2.

However, sceptics have questioned the efectiveness of the Institute, reasoning that until now it has only involved a reorganisation of existing personnel of the CTA.