Workshops to Tibetan Settlements in India

Background

TCCR has conducted workshops to almost all the settlements in the past years which have been able to generate a lot of conscious efforts by the participants to not only utilise the tools learned but also share their learning with other people. One request we most certainly meet with is for more workshops for other groups of people in their settlements. Tibetan refugees live mainly in the 52 settlements in India, some of these are big settlements that enjoy a successful infrastructure while many are situated in remote locations and are financially unstable. Some Tibetans also live in clusters in the small Indian towns doing petty business. But irrespective of where they live, one fact remains true for everyone which is that they live in small communities surrounded by the larger Indian communities. Even within the Tibetan communities there are people of different financial, educational and ancestral backgrounds. Refugee communities all over the world face challenges within their community and also with the host community, Tibetan refugees are not much different. Therefore our workshops have proved very useful not only in creating more harmony among the settlers but in improving their relations with the host communities.

Aims

To introduce methods and tools of non-violent conflict resolution, communication skills and listening skills at the grassroots level to the Tibetan communities living in the settlements in India. To empower them to make use of these skills when faced with conflict situations. To contribute towards creating a more harmonious environment among the Tibetan settlers and towards promoting further understanding, respectful and friendly relations with the local Indian communities.

Experiences

The workshops conducted for the people living in the various Tibetan settlements have been the oldest series of workshops for TCCR and it has always been a very important priority for the Centre. This series not only enables us to reach out to the grassroots Tibetan masses but also familiarises us with the living conditions of the common people. During the past almost eight years we have conducted workshops for most of the settlements in India and Nepal and in many of the large clusters in towns. The Tibetan settlements are located in varied geographical conditions and therefore have their distinct problems and issues. While for some settlements conflicts over safe drinking water raises high in their agenda some are more concerned with a good monsoon for a good harvest. Some are challenged by the herds of elephants that enter into their fields ruining acres of agricultural land while some deal with floods and lack of proper communication. Although we can distinctly identify these diverse challenges for the different settlements, there are many issues of concern that are equally prevalent in every settlement. Care for the elderly, education for the youth and employment opportunities being some of the few examples.

Achievements

In the process of conducting these many workshops we have been able to meet a wide range of people from varied age groups and backgrounds. Some were college graduates, some farmers, while some were businessmen some officials or local leaders, some carpet weavers, some teachers and nurses and some retired army men. Therefore throughout this wide spectrum of people we have been able to engage their interest in the workshop, raise awareness for universal responsibility and introduce skills and tools of conflict resolution. The participants have appreciated our efforts and encouraged us to conduct more workshops and continue to empower the Tibetan community.