The European Parliament's Tibet Intergroup was founded in 1987 by M. Michel Hervé with the intention of creating opportunities to discuss the situation in Tibet with a number and variety of MEP's. Additionally, the intergroup was created to provide information on Tibet to colleageus in the European Parliament as well as the general public. Finally, the group was to encourages various forms of political action. In 1994, the restructured under the Presidency of M. James Moorehouse and his five vice presidents.
Since 1999, the Tibet Intergroup has been lead by President Thomas Mann (PPE-ED). Following the 2004 elections, Thomas Mann has continued his Presidency with Vice Presidents; Mme. Lissy Gröner (PSE), M. Marcin LIbicki (UEN), Mme. Eva Lichtenberger (Green), M. Bill Newton Dunn (ALDE). Additionally, for the course of the Thomas Mann presidency, the secretary of the intergoup has been Mme. Gabriela Reichart, Assisstant. Gabriela works closely with the Tibetan Representatives in Europe and is the heart of the organization of important Tibet related events and the EP delegations' visits. Currently the Intergroup has respresentatives from all political parties in the Parliament.
The Intergroup Meets once a month, mainly during the Strasbourg Plenary Sessions, in order to give further details of the situation in Tibet through various activities such as:
- Initiating and participating in the first official visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the European Parliament, 24 October, 2001 and a second visit in May 2006.
- Inviting Tibetans or specialists on the question of Tibet and representatives of Tibet related NGOs.
- Organization of visits of Parliamentarian delegations of MEPs to Dharamsala in August 1998, June 1999, July 2001, and March 2006.
- Participating in the organization of major events such as for the commemoration of the anniversary of 10 March, 1959, the original date of Chinese occupation.
- Presenting the first view of Martin Scorcese's film KUNDUN during a Parliamentary Session in March 1998. The event included a press conference, exhibition and conference on Tibet, and a Buddhist Art exhibit in the Parliamentary Building.
- Organizing the creation of the first Avalokiteshvara-Sand-Mandala made in the EP by Tibetan Monks, in honour of H.H.Dalai Lama in November 2004.
- Organization of Exhibitions in the European Parliament on Tibet, its unique Culture, Religion, the life and difficulties of Tibetans in exile, and in Tibet today (1998, 2001, 2002, 2005)
- Initiating and participation in the European Parliament Conference on Tibet in Brussels in March 2000 and in November 2002.
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