Some of the Bhutanese resettled in the United Kingdom attended an international conference titled ‘Research Project Looking at the Outcomes of Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement all Across the World’ held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London on May 22-23.
The Takin Association UK said it was delighted that some members from the community were a part of such a prestigious conference, where panellists and speakers from various walks of life presented their views, informed its Secretary Kashi Pokhrel.
Chief of the Kathmandu-based Communication Corner and Ujyaalo 90 Network, Mr. Gopal Guragain, spoke about changing relations between refugees and local communities in Nepal.
While, Mr. Mani Thapa, an honorary member of TAUK, highlighted the challenges he had to face when he first arrived in the United Kingdom a decade before.
However, TAUK Chairperson, Mr. Lok Nath Bajgai Sharma, reflected on his experiences in arriving with the Gateway Protection Programme in 2010, and outlined some of the issues Bhutanese refugees have been facing in their post resettlement phase.
Mr. Ramesh Ghimirey, Mr. Ajay Thapa and Mr. Dilli Khadka were other Bhutanese who presented their views as regards to the challenges facing their lives in the United Kingdom, according to Pokhrel.
The Association has also thanked Professor Michael Hutt, author of a noted research book on the Bhutanese refugees ‘Unbecoming Citizen’, Dr. Tania Kaiser, Dr. Roz Evans, Miss Mona Chhetri, Miss Nicole Hoellerer and all other attendees and supporters of this conference for granting a participatory opportunity.
Ms. Ilse Griek, a Dutch researcher on the Bhutanese refugee issue, was also one of the panellists.
All attendees applauded presentations made during the two-day conference.
