From theocracy to democracy: Empowerment of the Tibetan people through public participation CONTEXT • Theocracy - 5TH to 14th Dalai Lama) (17th-21st century) • 1959 -- Chinese invasion • 80,000 flee to India • Democratization begins Tibetan democracy Central Tibetan Administration Established in 1959 3 BRANCHES: • Legislative (Parliament-in-exile) • Executive (Kashag) • Judiciary RESPONSABILITIES (CTA) • Political (Tibetans in Tibet) • Livelihood (India, Nepal, Bhutan) • Community cohesion, synergy (Diaspora outside India, Nepal, Bhutan) Some particularities… • Nation with no territorial boundaries (3 continents) • Tibetans in Tibet cannot vote (98%) • Party-less system • 2011 – Devolution of political power by H.H. the Dalai Lama ELECTIONS • Every 5 years (20 march 2016) • Political leader (since 2001)– Head of Executive branch (Sikyong) • 45 members-of-parliament - 10 per province (3 provinces) - 2 per school of Buddhism & Bon (5 schools) - North America (2), Europe (2), Asia (1) Tibetan parliament-in-exile Executive (14th Kashag) 7 Departments: Health Home Religion & Culture Finance Education Security Information & Inter. Relations WHO CAN VOTE? • Tibetans living in the free world • Age 18 and over WHO CAN VOTE? Greenbook holder (voluntary tax to CTA) HOW DOES IT WORK? • Election Commission (India-based) • Vote by ballot • India, Nepal, Bhutan – vote via settlements • Others – Local Tibetan Associations CHALLENGES • Participation • Responsible engagement • Effective communication (Election Commission) CHALLENGES (Cont’d) • Regionalism • Resonance with Tibetans in Tibet • Chinese interference • Post-Dalai Lama scenario LESSONS LEARNED • Be agile and a have an iterative learning culture (Election Commission); • Adapt communications to different cultural context and changing demographics; LESSONS LEARNED (Cont’d) • Make rules you can consistently enforce; • Hold candidates accountable; • Have civil society organizations play an active role in public capacity building. Some parting thoughts… Thank you.