awards and honours scheme

	The Institute hopes through its publications and programmes to bring to the notice of Tibetan society, inside Tibet, the many outstanding scholars, historians, folk-lyrists, artists, writers, poets, musicians and composers who have thus far received little, if any public attention and recognition.
		The Awards and Honours Schemes will provide worthy scholars, writers and artists, recognition for their contributions to Tibetan culture This will be the first such national award schemes in Tibetan society, and will certainly help to raise public awarness about cultural and intellectual issues in modern Tibetan society.
	This scheme will also include foreign scholars, individuals and organisations, who have contributed to the furtherance of culture and learning in Tibetan society.
	The Gedun Choephel Award
	The Gedun Choephel Award is presented by AMI every three years to an outstanding Tibetan writer who has maintained dedication and courage in the face of persecution and hardship. The Award carries a cash prize, and a specially framed citation.
		The First Gedun Choephel Award was awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his writings, especially for "My Land and My People", during the First National Conference of Tibetan Writers, Literature for Freedom.