Italian Translation

INTRODUCTION
"The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised. The human right to development also implies the full realisation of the right of peoples to self-determination, which includesŠ the exercise of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over all their natural wealth and resources."

Article 1, UN Declaration on the Right to Development (4 December 1986)

These Guidelines were compiled by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGIE) to foster sustainable development in Tibet* that will enhance the capacity of the Tibetan people to fully participate in the development of their land and to control the use of their natural resources. These Guidelines seek to encourage active international engagement that will improve the Tibetan people's quality of life and to address the existing imbalances in the development of Tibet.

Through responsible development and investment, the international community has the ability to make a major, positive impact on the lives of the Tibetan people. Throughout Tibet today, resources for promoting local businesses, education, and healthcare are extremely limited.

The socio-economic situation in Tibet is on par with some areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

While the specific needs of the Tibetan people in Tibet may vary from region to region, all Tibetan communities are disadvantaged. We therefore encourage the involvement of the international community in sustainable development and investment in all regions inhabited by Tibetans.

Despite living in economically and socially depressed conditions, Tibetans have attempted to build schools, monasteries, initiate development projects and develop their own enterprises (such as textile, carpet, handicraft manufacturing, dairy and grain processing). But it has been difficult for the majority of Tibetan communities to benefit from and expand these projects because they have received little or no assistance from the Chinese government, and they have very limited access to capital. Furthermore, infrastructure is very poor and prohibits development.

By providing the resources necessary for the Tibetans to be actively involved in their own development, and to become business and civic leaders in their communities. International organisations and individuals can play a critical role in empowering the Tibetan people to become self-sufficient and to protect Tibet's unique way of life.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Ever since 1949, even though the Chinese government initially made some efforts to improve the standard of living of the Tibetan people, China's development strategy was largely geared towards imposing the People's Liberation Army-led administrative superstructure, and later, towards assimilating Tibet into the People's Republic of China.

From 1950 until 1979, economic and structural measures such as co-operatives and communes were introduced in Tibet. These measures disregarded Tibetan culture and traditions: nomads were forced to be sedentary farmers; pasturelands became arable lands; winter wheat replaced native barley (Tibet's staple foodcrop); and huge state taxes were imposed to achieve unreasonable regional production targets. All these measures resulted in declining productivity, the degradation of grassland, and foodgrain shortages unknown in the history of Tibet.

The then Chinese Communist Party General Secretary, Hu Yaobang, recognised this decline in conditions of the Tibetan people at the First Work Forum on Tibet in 1980. As a result, the Household Responsibility System (HRS) was introduced, reversing the policies of the previous 30 years. By the end of 1982, decollectivisation was implemented and more social and religious freedom was granted in Tibet. Living conditions began to improve as the revenue and taxation systems were decentralised.

However, the positive impact of the HRS was short-lived because the emphasis was placed on Tibet's integration with China rather than on local self-sufficiency. Tibet was providing China's rich coastal region with energy, minerals and timber. In return, Tibet was receiving Chinese "skilled" settlers who brought "technical, managerial and business skills" to the region and helped open Tibet's market for Chinese manufactured goods. This massive influx of Chinese settlers further marginalised the Tibetan people, economically and socially.

In 1984 the Chinese government initiated 43 development projects, following up with 62 additional projects in 1994. These projects aimed to "develop the Tibetan economy and society" in Central Tibet. However, these initiatives did not result in the development of any significant Tibetan-run projects. Instead they have mainly benefited Chinese urban dwellers and strengthened China's control over Tibet. For example, the projects initiated in 1984 alone brought 60,000 Chinese into Tibet, causing 30,000 Tibetans from 18 work units to lose their jobs. Rural areas in Tibet still have no access to electricity, education, healthcare and safe drinking water facilities.

LONGTERM GOALS FOR TIBET'S DEVELOPMENT
The priority of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is for the Tibetan people to be able to achieve their full economic and cultural potential. Thus, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has sought to enter into negotiations with the Chinese government in order to achieve a settlement, which would grant Tibetans genuine autonomy within the framework of the People's Republic of China.

As a political solution to Tibet is being pursued, international aid and development agencies, as well as investors, can and should be involved in raising the standard of living for the Tibetan people and in assisting Tibetans to become self-sufficient.

Basic principles