On the bright morning of 26 October 2006, The 'House of Peace and Dialogue' was commemorated in the presence and blessings of H.H the XVII Galwa Karamapa Rinpoche and the project's partner Mr. Svein Wilhelmsen, Chairman, Basecamp Explorer Co. and his delegates including Dr. Lars and Ms. Tina Frisk and several other visitors.
In summer 2003, during His Holiness the Dalai Lama's address at the European Parliament, he said…"The promotion of a culture of dialogue and non-violence for the future of mankind is a compelling task of the international community. It is not enough for governments to endorse the principle of non-violence without any appropriate action to support and promote it. If non-violence is to prevail, non-violent movements must be made effective and successful. Some consider the 20th Century a century of war and bloodshed. I believe the challenge before us is to make the new century one of dialogue and non-violence."
It is our awed policy to provide a sound value-based education to develop good human beings. This project will provide space and opportunity for dialogue and learning the critical issues of our age-promoting peace and non-violence, cultural and environment awareness, mutual understanding and tolerance, conflict resolution and local and global responsibility etc. in fact, this is an initiative to follow His holiness the Dalai Lama's continued emphasis on the above issues in his various speeches and discourses around the world-based on His firm belief that paths that lead to solutions emerge out of dialogue and non-violence.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Mr. Tsewang Yeshi, newly appointed President of TCV and other staff members from Head Office and students. In the introduction speech, the President expressed his warm greetings to everyone present on the occasion and gave a brief introduction about the TCV, its mission and then the details of how TCV became involved in this joint project with the Basecamp Explorer.
Then Mr. Svein Wilhelmsen, expressed his greetings and briefed the audience about the Company, its aims and mission to work on the 'Eco-Tourism/Sustainable Tourism Projects' in those parts of the world where the impact of modernization and mass tourism endangers the very survival of the local community, its unique culture and its environment in the long run…He also mentioned several of their testimonial projects in Masai Mara (Kenya), Rajasthan (India) and Solovki (Russia) etc have been attracting tourists from all over the world for lifetime adventure with minimum impact on tourism help build a lively friendship with the local community, their culture and serene environment like never before.
This was followed by keynote address by H.H the XVII Karmapa Rinpoche. He stated that "Sometimes, it's so strange for we (Tibetans) always pursue and work towards the mission of Global Peace when we actually don't have the basic freedom and rights in our own country and elsewhere. But in another perspective, it's an effort worthwhile for we never know our efforts may bring fruitful results. Along with its pursuit, we might even succeed in our fight for freedom and independence or middle-way solution and get back to our fatherland..." He also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by TCV and the Basecamp Explorer Co. in spending substantial funds and initiating this 'House of Peace and Dialogue' for some very good reason, for the sake of humanity and global peace.
The House of Peace complex has 1 big Hall, several medium & small Seminar rooms to accommodate about 100 people. Besides, there were guest rooms both for scholars and students. The complex could host programs and activities like exchange programs, guest lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, expert-led dialogues etc on promotion of culture of peace, dialogue and non-violence throughout the year.
The House of Peace was constructed in a record time of about 10 active months despite the disturbance during the long monsoon season. Basecamp Explorer donated 30 % of the total project cost for which we are very grateful.
