The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre organized 7 days long workshop on Grassroots Democracy. Strengthening Local Assemblies in Tenzingang Tibetan Settlement from 26th to 31st of May. There are about 55 participants including four organiser cum resource person and 44 from Tenzingang, rest other from Tezu and Tuting. The best thing about this workshop was, women participants constitute 48% of the total number of participants and more than 80% of the participants are below 39 years old. Despite bad roads and poor transportation, participants from a distance of more than 850 Kms (Tezu & Tuting) were able to attend this workshop.
26th May, 2009
Due to land slides and heavy rain, we (organiser) could not able to reach Tenzingang on time. Therefore, the workshop which was scheduled to start on 26th afternoon as per the program had to postpone for a day.
27th May, 2009
The Executive Director Mr. Choechung Wangchuk's short note about the program and its aspiration and also gave introduction of TPPRC. Executive Programme Acharya Y.Phuntsok made a power-point presentation on the role and responsibilities of local level assembly and the procedures that govern the functioning of the local assemblies. Executive Director provided a power-point presentation on the overview of financial status of the TGiE as of March 2009 and also explained the processes of budgeting, financial accountability at both the central and local level. Later participants were divided into groups and gave specified assignments to prepare question, calling attention motion, resolution bills, amendment to rules, and report of the budget estimate committee.
28th May, 2009
Apart from workshop participants, a large number of general public were assembled and conducted a political education with a presentation from Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok on various autonomous arrangements around the globe and the middle way approach for the genuine autonomy; and the organisational set-up of the Tibetan Govt. in Exile and its democratic governance by Mr. Choekyong wangchuk.
In the afternoon session, previous day’s program continued to complete the remaining part of the job assigned to the respective groups
29th & 30th May 2009
Day’s session begin with the practical simulation exercise where six participants were chosen to chair the session turn by turn. During this two day mock-up exercise settlement officer presented the annul budget and report, followed by report of the budget estimate committee and passing the budget.
The afternoon session of May 30th had a presentation by a special guest Mr. R.K. Khirmey, sitting MLA, former minister and M.P on the general subject including the functioning of district Panchayat. Same evening, a special dinner was hosted to all the participants. Local dignitaries and school teachers of CST Tenzingang were also invited.
31st May 2009
After finishing with the simulation exercise, the oral evaluation of the program was undertaken, where all the participants appreciated the workshop for its usefulness and promised that they would put to use all things they learnt during the workshop. Finally, workshop concluded with formal closing program followed by a farewell dinner from Tenzingang settlement.
