"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
—
RALPH WALDO EMERSON

* * * * * NEWS * * * * *

Curious how ICT celebrates Losar, the Tibetan New Year?
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In this video, Matteo and Tencho share a glimpse of ICT’s own Losar altar, tell
about the Losar celebration at the US State Department and provide highlights on
ICT’s recent outreach efforts. Check it out!
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State Department hosts reception to celebrate Tibetan New Year
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In a sign of the US government’s continuing embrace of the Tibetan people
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and promotion of Tibetan culture and identity, the State Department hosted a
reception last week to mark “Losar,” the Tibetan New Year. The actual Losar
began on Feb. 24 and the new year will be the Iron-Mouse year.

The celebration inside State Department headquarters in Washington, DC brought
together government officials, the US representative of the Dalai Lama,
representatives from the diplomatic community and members of the local Capital
Area Tibetan Association.

Read more online
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China’s response to Coronavirus in Tibet: arrests, crackdown and repression
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China has responded to the spread of coronavirus to Tibet by cracking down
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on people who post information online about the deadly illness, including one
man who was detained by police simply for encouraging his contacts to recite
prayers to ward off infection.

Chinese authorities also announced the cancellation of public religious
festivals and prayer ceremonies for “Losar,” the Tibetan New Year, which began
on Feb. 24.

Read more online
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Speaker Pelosi and President Trump pray for Tibetans at Prayer Breakfast
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Top US leaders prayed for religious prisoners in Tibet
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earlier this month at the National Prayer Breakfast while a Tibetan monk who
escaped torture and imprisonment raised awareness of China’s ruthless oppression
of Tibetan Buddhists.

With President Trump sitting nearby, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., took
to the podium and led the gathering in a prayer: “Let us pray for the Panchen
Lama and all the Tibetan Buddhists in prison in China or missing for following
their faith,” Pelosi said as Trump closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Read more online
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New China-Nepal agreements could seriously endanger Tibetans
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Two agreements signed by Nepal and China
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during Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping’s October 2019 visit could threaten the
freedom of Tibetans, including those residing in Nepal and those fleeing there
from Tibet.

“The implementation of these agreements could result in a clear violation of
international law if Nepal were to begin to deport the Tibetan refugees back to
Tibet,” ICT President Matteo Mecacci said. “We therefore call on Nepal to
reassure the international community that it will continue to protect the
Tibetan refugees who reside or arrive in its territory.”

Read more online
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Chinese activist: "Dalai Lama's succession rests with Tibet, not China"
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Chinese human rights activist Yang Jianli has published an article in
The Hill supporting the Dalai Lama’s right
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to establish the guidelines for recognizing his successor:

There are many things most 85-year-olds cannot do — run, climb mountains, stay
awake the whole day long — and no one begrudges them for that. There are things
they do well — provide sane advice, take care of the grandchildren — and
everyone thanks them for that. However, running circles around the second
largest economy in the world is not what most 85-year-olds do, with the
exception of Tenzin Gyatso, better known as the 14th Dalai Lama.

Read more online
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European countries weigh in on Tibetan Buddhists’ right to pick next Dalai Lama
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Belgium and the Netherlands have weighed in on the rights of Tibetan Buddhists
by declaring that it is up to the Tibetan religious community to select the
future Dalai Lama, rejecting China’s efforts
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to control the succession of the revered Tibetan leader.

In response to a question from Member of Parliament Samuel Cogolati on his
government’s position, Belgian Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister Philippe
Goffin said last month, “it is logically up to the Tibetan religious community
to designate his successor without interference from the temporal authorities.”

Read more online
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ICT’s Rowell Fund for Tibet announces 2020 grants for six projects
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The Rowell Fund for Tibet’s board of advisors has decided to award $24,000 in grants
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to six projects in 2020 that deal with healthcare, cultural preservation, the
environment and the recording of history. Each project will receive $3,500 to
$4,600. The fund received 31 applications from Tibetans in Tibet and outside for
this grant cycle.

Read more online
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* * * * * BLOG * * * * *

80 years of the Dalai Lama: An appreciation
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By: Ashwin Verghese
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It’s no exaggeration to say that when I was growing up, the Dalai Lama was one
of the most visible and popular figures in the United States. And though I’m
loathe to pat myself on the back, I often think that if I could travel back in
time and tell my adolescent self that someday I’d work in service of the Dalai
Lama and his people, the younger me would break into a big smile.

Read more online
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* * * * * EVENTS * * * * *

Join us in DC for Tibet Lobby Day on March 23-24!
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ICT will bring together its members, Tibetans and Tibet groups to lobby for Tibet
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on both sides of the Atlantic this spring. And we’d love to have you join us
for the US effort in Washington, DC, March 23-24. This joint effort will
emphasize Tibet’s crucial role in global affairs by bringing Tibet supporters
face-to-face with EU and US officials.

Be part of the action! Sign up to attend Tibet Lobby Day on March 23-24!
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When: March 23-24
Where: Washington, DC

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Save the Date! A Book Talk with Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D. on March 31
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ICT is honored to host Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D., the highly acclaimed thought leader
and English translator of the Dalai Lama, for a talk on his book “A Fearless
Heart” on the evening of March 31. In this book, Thupten Jinpa shows us how
compassion works as a powerful inner resource that can yield surprising and
compelling benefits—not just for others, but for ourselves.

The exact time and DC-area location of this event are to be determined.
Additional details will be available shortly on www.savetibet.org
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* * * * * SUPPORT * * * * *

ICT’s 2020 Wall Calendar: Fewer than 200 Left!
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The latest edition of ICT’s annual wall calendar, The Dalai Lama: Glimpses into
a Life of Wisdom, features 12 photographs of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the renowned Indian
photographer Raghu Rai, who has closely followed His Holiness' life. Today, His
Holiness, who has retired from Tibetan political leadership, devotes himself to
promoting human values and religious harmony everywhere while continuing to draw
attention to the rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage, which he feels has
much to contribute to the development of world civilization. This calendar is a
tribute to the Dalai Lama by the International Campaign for Tibet.

We have fewer than 200 copies left, so order yours today!

Visit the ICT store
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Support ICT While You Shop with AmazonSmile
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Through the AmazonSmile Program, Amazon will make a donation for the value of .5
percent of your qualifying Amazon purchases to ICT! All you have to do is designate
ICT as your charity of choice and be sure to use smile.amazon.com
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These small donations add up to significant funds for ICT and there is no cost
to participate!

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Want to make a difference?
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The Tibet Update Newsletter is a summary of news and governmental actions
related to Tibet.

Update Address [[email protected]] | Unsubscribe [[link removed]]

International Campaign for Tibet
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1825 Jefferson Place NW | Washington, DC 20036 | United States of America
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Phone: (202) 785-1515 | Fax: (202) 785-4343 | [email protected] [[email protected]]