International Campaign for Tibet

ICT's Tibetan Youth Leadership Program Begins on May 20

Eleven young Tibetans, six female and five male, from Canada and the United States are participating in the sixth Tibetan Youth Leadership Program (TYLP), to be held in Washington, D.C. from May 20 to 24, 2006.

This program aims to nurture youth leaders who will not only become the leaders of the Tibetan community in the future, but who will also act now to convert their energy and convictions into a powerful force for activism and change. Through workshops, discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will be exposed to the art of leadership. The training will be specifically geared to meet the need of the Tibetan community for a core group of young, articulate Tibetan leaders.

During the program, the participants will hear from the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Paula Dobriansky; the Special Envoy of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyari; Representative of H.H. the Dalai Lama for the Americas, Tashi Wangdi; Chinese Human Rights Activist Harry Wu, as well as Tibetan and other experts on communications, sustainable development, Chinese society and the situation inside Tibet and will be briefed on the policies of the United States and Canada on Tibet. The participants will visit the State Department, the Capitol Hill, the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.

Since 2001, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has run an intensive training program for Tibetan youth in the United States and Europe. The first such leadership program was held in March 2001 with successive sessions held in Washington, D.C. in 2002 and 2004, and in 2003 ICT in Europe held its inaugural training program for young Tibetans living in Europe. The 2005 program was held in Amsterdam by ICT Europe.

These programs have provided participants with the opportunity to build professional and social networks, enhance their skills and to become familiar with important institutions and leaders.

Following are brief bio data of the 11 participants in this year's program.

• Tashi Choegyal: Tacoma, WA. Tashi Choegyal is a college freshman, going to be sophomore in September. He is active in organizations such as the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT). He started SFT chapter at his school in University at Puget Sound.

• Tenzin Dickyi: Davis, CA. Tenzin Dickyi is a sophomore at UC Davis studying International Relations. She is an active member of the TYC chapter, serving on its board of Directors. She is also a member of SFT Chapter there.
• Dekyi Dorjee: Calgary, Canada. Dekyi Dorjee was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. She is currently a third year student at the University of Calgary and has been active in the Tibetan movement from a young age. Dekyi participated in SFT Action camp in 2004 and has coordinated the SFT chapter at the University of Calgary. Dekyi traveled to India and has volunteered with TCHRD.
• Dawa Bhuti Ghoso: Toronto, Canada. Dawa Bhuti Ghoso grew up in India and attended Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) in Dharamsala. Dawa had always been active in Tibetan community, where she was involved in many Tibet organizations. She was one of the executive members of Canada Tibet Committee (CTA), board of director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) Canada.
• Tenzin Kalsang: Lawrenceville, NJ. Tenzin Kalsang is graduating from a top prep-school this year. She became a member of SFT in high school and helped organize Tibet awareness events. She is the only high school participant in this year's program.
• Palden Kyeb: Berea, KY. Palden Kyeb finished high school from TCV and joined Berea College in the Fall of 2002. He is a senior Mathematic major with minor in Computer Science and Economics.
• Tsering Norbu: Bar Harbor, ME. Tsering Norbu was born in Tibet and attended primary school till 1993. He fled to India and joined TCV. He is currently a junior at College of Atlantic studying Biology, Web-design and Evolutionary courses.
• Tenzin Thokme Sampho: Boston, MA. Tenzin Thokme Sampho lives in Boston where he is a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is studying Aerospace Engineering. He grew up in Utah and has been an active member of the Tibetan Association and SFT chapters.
• Sherab Tharchen: Portland, WA. Sherab Tharchen is from Portland and graduated from Linfield College last year. He believes that each individual is the starting point of creating a movement and awareness, therefore each Tibetan is responsible for bringing to the forefront the issue of Tibet.
• Nyendak Tsekyi Wangden: Suisun City, CA. Nyendak Tsekyi Wangden is from California and currently attends UC Davis. She started a Tibet Club at high school and SFT chapter in college.
• Tenzin Lobsang Wangkhang: Ontario, Canada. Tenzin Lobsang Wangkhang grew up in Canada and was active in Tibet movement from a young age and served on the board of the Ottawa Friend of Tibet (FOT). At college, she started a SFT chapter and organized events promoting Tibet.