BCN Welcome Program 2010

In early 90's about 16% of Bhutan's population had to flee their homes owing to violent political policies adopted by the Bhutanese government which were directed towards the Bhutanese of Nepali origin. Since then, around 120,000 Bhutanese lived in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) managed refugee camps in Nepal. Numerous national and international negotiations and efforts were made to repatriate these refugees to Bhutan. India played a silent role. Therefore, these refugees never could get back to Bhutan. Regarding them as the forgotten people, in 2008 UNHCR approached to different developed countries in an attempt to find a lasting solution. Countries like the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom and the Netherlands ultimately decided to accept these refugees under a scheme called third country resettlement program.

Netherlands had been inviting Bhutanese refugees to the Netherlands since 2008. About 250 Bhutanese refugees have already reached to the Netherlands under this scheme. In 2010, 102 individuals reached to the Netherlands.

To assist in the successful integration of its people in the Netherlands, Bhutanese have established an organization called Bhutanese Community in the Netherlands (BCN). BCN intends to supplement to the integration effort of the Dutch government. It works to bring people together, share their difficulties and try to find a solution. Though he Netherlands is a beautiful country with hospitable people, it is one of the most difficult countries for immigrants to excel and become financially independent. For Bhutanese who are very hard working people, language is proving to be a major barrier to progress. Bhutanese resettled in the Netherlands find themselves slow at progress when compared with other fellow countrymen resettled to other countries like USA, Canada, Australia, etc.

The resettlement program separated families and scattered Bhutanese to 10 countries. Though in developed countries, though materialistically well-off, the division of their families and their society is a harsh reality they need to live with.

BCN intends to keep the resettled Bhutanese in the Netherlands emotionally and psychologically strong thereby assisting in their successful transition and integration to the Dutch society. One of such activities is through organization of cultural programs.

On 21st August, Bhutanese assembled at Dissel in Hooglanderveen and organized a cultural program to keep the spirit of newly arrived Bhutanese in the Netherlands high. Numerous musicals, dances and songs gave enormous relief to the audience. Our musicals, dances and culture are very rich. We feel insecure that over a few years these richness may disappear. It is for this reason, BCN organizes such programs to promote the culture and musicals.