2004 Winners Announced!
First Prize: Mansher Lotou
Second Prize: Sherap Gyatso
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) will hold the third annual Light of Truth Essay Competition in 2004. The essay contest seeks to foster debate, and to formulate and articulate innovative and practical solutions to pressing issues facing the Tibetan people. The essay contest also seeks to recognize talented Tibetans from a variety of backgrounds.
Winning essays will be published in ICT's Tibet Press Watch and other Tibetan journals and posted here on this website.
Topic: Given the demographic transformation caused by Chinese migration into Tibetan areas, a critical issue facing Tibetans today is the survival of the Tibetan identity. What actions can be taken by Tibetans, both inside and outside Tibet, to mitigate the negative impacts of this trend and harness whatever positive impacts this trend may bring?
Background: The tremendous influx of non-Tibetans into Tibet has been a major cause for concern for Tibetans. Pointing to this issue in a number of key statements, the Dalai Lama stresses that the increased transfer of Chinese population into Tibet has altered and continues to change the character of the Tibetan plateau. This demographic change involves major economic, cultural, environmental, linguistic, legal, human rights and other implications. Moreover, most Chinese people do not understand Tibetan perspectives, sharpening the colonial characteristics of the Chinese population and governing structures in Tibet.
Judges: This year's distinguished judges are as follows:
- Ms. Chungdak Koren lives in Norway and was formerly the Representative of the Dalai Lama at the Bureau du Tibet in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Professor Nawang B. Phuntsog is a professor of education at California State University at Fullerton, specializing in multicultural education, curriculum, and teacher education.
- Mr. Gyatso Tshering was the longest serving Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, which assisted the research of over five thousand scholars and research students internationally. He lives in the US.
- Mr. Baima Wangjie (Pema Wangyal) graduated from the Central University for Nationality, Beijing, and is currently a visiting instructor at Hsi Lai University in Rosemead, California.
Prizes: First prize: $1,000. Second prize: $500. Third prize: $250 (all awards in USD).
Eligibility: Open to Tibetans from any country.
Guidelines:
- Essays are accepted in English, Tibetan or Chinese.
- Essays can be submitted by e-mail, fax or by post.
- The length restrictions are as follows: English - 1500 words, Tibetan - 3000 words, Chinese - 2500 words. This is a strict requirement. Essays over these limits will not be considered.
- Applicants must include the following data for verification and eligibility purposes: full name, mailing address, e-mail (if available), phone (important), occupation, age, and birthplace. This information will not be forwarded to the judges since this is a competition where essays are based strictly and solely on the content of the essays.
Due Date: Saturday, 1 May 2004. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, 6 July 2004.
Submissions: International Campaign for TibetAttention: Losang Rabgey
1825 K St., NW, Suite 520
Washington, DC 20006
Fax: 202-785-4343
email: losangr@savetibet.org
For additional information please contact Losang Rabgey at (202) 785-1515 x38 or losangr@savetibet.org.
