TYLP at the Capitol

Participants of ICT’s Tibetan Youth Leadership Program in 2014 posing before Capitol (US Congress)

Twelve young Tibetan Americans are participating in the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT)’s Tibetan Youth Leadership Program (TYLP) being held in Washington, D.C. from June 1 to 7, 2015. The selected participants are coming from Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

“Past participants have given us positive feedback and explained how this program helped them to renew their commitment to working for Tibet. This is why we are excited to have another group of Tibetan American youth here for this year’s program,” said Tencho Gyatso, Coordinator of TYLP for the International Campaign for Tibet.

The TYLP aims to nurture young leaders who could become leaders of the Tibetan-American community in the United States and internationally. The program will instill in its participants the knowledge and confidence required for leadership roles. Participants will hear from speakers on issues ranging from US policy formulation process, empowerment of Tibetans, US-China relations, American policy towards Tibet, etc. and also learn the skills and tools, including crucial media and communication skills (including field visits to Voice of America and Radio Free Asia).

They will visit Capitol Hill and meet with Members of Congress and their staff and know about the legislative process. They will also meet with officials at the State Department and learn about the implementation of the policies.

The program will also provide them with the opportunity to establish relationships with, and learn from other young Tibetan-Americans professionals working in the Federal Government as well as in the private sector in Washington, D.C. They will also have an interaction with local young Tibetan Americans (middle – high school age), organized by the Tibetan Sunday School of the Capital Area Tibetan Association.

The program was first started in Washington, D.C. in 2001, and subsequently has also been held in Brussels and Amsterdam.

This year’s participants include:

  • Palden Choekyong, Williams University of Iowa
  • Tenzin Palmo, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
  • Pasang Lhamo, Syracuse University
  • Rinzin Lhamo, University of Pennsylvania
  • Tenzin Sonam, University of Arizona
  • Tsechi Sokpo, Mount Holyoke College
  • Tenzing Namgyal Lama, SUNY Buffalo
  • Tenzin Rangdol, State University of New Paltz
  • Pasang Tsering, CUNY School of Law, NYC
  • Chonyi Lama, University of California, Berkeley
  • Chenam Barshee, University of Virginia
  • Shaokyi Amdo (ICT Intern), Vanderbilt University