Meet some of our Tibet Lobby Day 2026 delegates
Kelsang
Tashi Delek, my name is Kelsang. I was born in India as a Tibetan refugee and moved to Australia when I was 13 years old. Growing up away from our homeland has taught me the importance of preserving our culture, language, and identity.
I have always loved being involved in the Tibetan community, whether through traditional dance performances, cultural events, or advocacy for Tibet. I believe that every Tibetan born after 1959 is a born activist, carrying both the responsibility and privilege of keeping our story alive. Through community work, leadership roles with V-TAG, and participation in peaceful protests, I strive to honour the sacrifices of those who came before us and ensure that the voice of Tibet continues to be heard.
Dechen
My name is Dechen, and I am currently in my second year of studying Biomedical Engineering. Although I grew up in Sydney, my Tibetan heritage through my dad has always been an important part of my life.
This will be my second Tibet Lobby Day. Attending last year gave me a much better understanding of the importance of Lobby Day in raising awareness of Tibet and ensuring that Tibetan voices are heard by Australian policymakers. I am looking forward to taking part again this year, continuing to learn and contributing where I can.
Dezom
My name is Dezom, and I was born in Tibet. When I was around eight years old, I escaped Tibet with a group of strangers, walking for nearly 19 days across the Himalayas to reach India.
My father was a freedom fighter who opposed the Chinese Communist regime in Tibet. Because of his activism, he was imprisoned and eventually died in custody. From that day onward, I lost not only my father, but also my home and my sense of belonging.
I also consider myself fortunate, and I believe that gratitude and grief can coexist. I am grateful that I was able to build a life in a free country like Australia and enjoy opportunities that many Tibetans still do not have. Yet with that privilege comes responsibility.
I feel a duty to share my story and to speak about the experiences of Tibetans who could not escape. Since I was young, I have understood that I must use my voice for those who continue to be silenced in Tibet. Telling our stories is not only a way of preserving our history, it is also a way of honouring those who sacrificed so much and ensuring that they are not
forgotten.
Ngawang
My name is Ngawang. I was born in North India. It never occurred to me that we were refugees when we were kids, as everything was well structured from our communities to our schools.
As I grew up year by year, the sense of not belonging was greater and greater. It becomes easy to cope with not belonging, day by day with new discoveries and new friends. But the sense of injustice and brutal reality of what happened in history and seems to be ongoing in modern times, does something that asks for our constant effort to stand against it.
Kunsang
My name is Kunsang. I am a Tibetan scholar and researcher currently living in Melbourne, Australia. I was born in Tibet and later continued my education in India, where I completed my PhD in Philosophy and Religion.
I am passionate about Buddhist philosophy, education, cultural preservation, and community service. Through my academic work and community engagement, I aim to promote understanding, compassion, and the rich heritage of Tibetan culture. I am committed to preserving Tibetan language and culture while contributing to Australia’s diverse multicultural society. Through my work and community involvement, I hope to inspire understanding, cooperation, and cultural exchange.
Lobsang
I am Lobsang. I was born in Tibet near capital city of Lhasa Meldro Guyana. I was monk of the Garden monastery and I stay in the monastery 1986 till to 1989 then I participated in peace march demonstration for freedom of our nation and people because our country is occupied by the Chinese government. Due to that reason they put me in the jail twice in 1988 and 1989. After released from jail in 1989, then I have no freedom of speech, no freedom of movement and I have to stay in only one location which was my birth place that why I decided to come to India in 1990. From 1991 to 2007, I worked at Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet political association. Currently I am living in Australia.
Tenzin
My name is Tenzin. I was born in Tibet and came to India with my mother when I was seven years old. At that age, I wasn’t aware of many things. I didn’t know that Tibet and China were two different countries, and I didn’t know that my parents had made the difficult decision to leave me in India so I could have a better education and a better life.
With the grace of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, I was able to study at the Tibetan Children’s Village School, where I learned our history, our language, and most importantly, discovered my identity. I moved to Australia six years ago, and I feel that now is the right time for me to take on more responsibility and initiative for our cause.
Sonam
Born in Tibet, I escaped to India in 2003 and began my education at TCV School. Driven by a dedication to the Tibetan cause, I pursued BA (Honors) in Political Science at Hindu College, Delhi University. And further earned a Master’s in Public Policy from O.P. Jindal Global University. Throughout my university years, I was deeply active in the Tibetan Youth Congress political activities, serving as Joint Secretary and later as President of the RTYC Delhi Rohini chapter. Upon graduating in 2019, I was honored to be elected General Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of TYC, a role I held for six years.
After a decade long service to the Tibetan movement, my commitment remains steadfast. I strive to be a voice for the voiceless Tibetans living under the CCP’s suppression & censorship, and work toward a future where the younger generation born in exile can see their homeland before it is irreparably altered under the guise of development.
