Interactive programme for Tibetan and other students in Dharamsala

Gopalpur (Dharamsala), July 28 (ANI): Students from Tibetan and non-Tibetan schools participate in the 'Ninth Inter-school Programme 2009' that began at Gopalpur near Dharamsala.

The interactive programme has been organised by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of his holiness the Dalai Lama in collaboration with Tibetan Children's Village (TCV).

The week-long programme includes lectures, discussions, debates, skit plays, workshops and meditation. total of 48 schoolchildren with 16 teachers from 16 different schools in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi are participating in the event.

Participants said the interactive programme was an enriching experience.

"Its very important because we learn a lot from different cultures like we learn about Tibetan students as a whole and we learn about different people whom we never met before," said Varun, a student from Delhi.

Organisers said that the aim was to sensitise school children towards diverse faiths.

"We are trying to bring these students together for one week and do different activities like skit plays and interactive sessions but we do not have any competition among them. It is just an opportunity for them to interact with each other and try to learn about different cultures," said Thupten Tsewang, Programme Manager.

As part of programme, the participants will visit various religious centres and take part in cultural programmes, film screenings and many other events.

The foundation for Universal Responsibility of his holiness the Dalai Lama is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization established with the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness in 1989.

In the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations, the foundation brings together men and women of different faiths, professions and nationalities through a range of initiatives and mutually sustaining collaborations. (ANI)