The Department of Information and International Relations is one of the seven main departments under Kashag. It has its origin in Chisee Khang (the Foreign Relations Office), which was re-established in exile in 1959, after the Chinese occupation of Tibet. In March 1969, the international relations section of Chisee Khang was placed under the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi. However, with the overwhelming demand for Information on Tibet by the International community as well as Tibetans; in understanding political, human rights and environmental consciousness, the Department had started publishing Tibetan Bulletin. Thus, in 1971, the information section was expanded with the inclusion of Sheja Publication and renamed as Information and Publicity Office. On 4 April 1988, the Office was further expanded and the international relations section of the Bureau in Delhi was made a part of it again. It was thus that the Office came to be renamed the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR).
Audio Visual: The Audio Visual Section of the CTA produces video materials on Tibet, teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, activities and policies of the CTA and works to preserve and promote the traditional Tibetan culture and tradition. The section also covers and does live broadcast of the parliamentary sessions of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. DVDs are made of such parliamentary proceedings that are subsequently distributed free of cost to all the Tibetan settlements, schools, monasteries, and Tibetan organizations scattered all over the India.
The CTA’s WebTV was launched in August 2006 to cover and to broadcast news, teachings, cultural programs, education on democracy and activities of the CTA. The web TV can be watched by logging on to www.tibetonline.tv and also through a local TV Channel (Bhagsu Cable) that was launched in Dharamsala on 4 November 2009.
Address: Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamshala – 176215 H.P., INDIA
Tel: +91 (01892) 222457 / 222510
Fax: +91 (01892) 224957 E-mail: diir(at)tibet.net