ICT Announcement | July 13, 2026
ICT announces start of 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program to empower future advocates for Tibet
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is proud to announce the start of the 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program (TYLP), an annual initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of Tibetan American leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks to become effective leaders and advocates for Tibet.
From July 11-18, fourteen promising Tibetan American college students from across the United States will gather in Washington, D.C., for an intensive week of leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy training. Through firsthand exposure, TYLP participants will learn the intricacies of the American political process and the crucial role of advocacy.
During the program, participants will:
- Meet with influential political figures, including State Department officials and Congressional staff
- Engage in discussions with notable Tibetan and international leaders and experts.
- Visit key institutions such as the US State Department, the U.S. Capitol, and the Library of Congress.
- Participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions with ICT staff, Tibetan journalists, policy experts, and human rights defenders.
“We are proud to welcome another exceptional cohort of young Tibetan Americans from across the United States into this year’s Tibetan Youth Leadership Program,” said Ryan Fioresi, Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based International Campaign for Tibet.
“At a time when the Chinese government is intensifying its efforts to erase Tibetan identity, including through policies such as the recently enacted new ‘Ethnic Unity and Progress Law,’ it is more important than ever to invest in future Tibetan leaders who will champion human rights, preserve Tibet’s culture and identity, and strengthen international support for the Tibetan cause,” he added.
The 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program participants are:
- Zaedoen Gyephel (Rutgers University)
- Tenzin Rigden (Montgomery County Community College)
- Choesam Gyatso (Greenfield Community College)
- Tenzin Choenyi (CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY Baruch College)
- Tenzin Tsephel (University of Albany)
- Oeser Jamyang (University of California, San Diego)
- Tenzin Menlha (George Washington University)
- Tenzin Kunsang (DePaul University)
- Tenzin Choezom (Northeastern University)
- Yeshe Nordup (University of California, Davis)
- Tenzin Dhelotsang (Middlebury College)
- Norbu Dolma (Claremont Graduate University)
- Jampa Lhanyitsang (Columbia University)
- Namdon Shingsur (University of Connecticut)
About the Tibetan Youth Leadership Program
The Tibetan Youth Leadership Program is part of ICT’s Lodi Gyari Tibetan Empowerment Program, which includes a suite of initiatives designed to strengthen Tibetan leadership and empower Tibetans to protect Tibetan culture and identity and advocate for their rights and future.
As China continues to intensify its repression in Tibet, Tibetan American advocacy has become crucial to advancing US support for the Tibetan movement. Thanks in part to the sustained advocacy by Tibetan Americans, the U.S. government has responded to China’s rights violations in Tibet by signing into law the Resolve Tibet Act in 2024, which reinforces U.S. policy on Tibet and directs the State Department to counter the Chinese government’s disinformation campaign on Tibet.
The U.S. also passed the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act in 2018, which authorized the State Department to deny entry to Chinese officials responsible for restricting access to Tibet for American diplomats, journalists, and ordinary citizens.
About ICT
The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is a nonprofit organization that promotes human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, ICT works to safeguard the unique culture and identity of the Tibetan people.
For more information, visit www.savetibet.org or contact [email protected].
Media Availability and Resources
The following individuals are available for interviews in connection with the 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program:
- Ryan Fioresi, Executive Director, International Campaign for Tibet
- 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program participants (available upon request)
The following resources can be made available for the media upon request:
- High-resolution photos from the 2026 Tibetan Youth Leadership Program
- B-roll video footage of program activities
- Participant biographies and background information
- Information about TYLP and ICT’s Lodi Gyari Tibetan Empowerment Program
- Background materials on US policy toward Tibet and recent legislation
- Any additional related information
For media inquiries and interview requests related to ICT’s TYLP program, contact:
