The Future of Tibetan Leadership

Next year, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will celebrate his 90th birthday, a significant milestone not only for the Tibetan community but also for those who cherish his teachings on peace, compassion, and human rights. As a prominent spiritual leader and a symbol of the Tibetan struggle for autonomy, His Holiness has profoundly influenced the global dialogue on democracy, religious freedom, and non-violence.
In recent statements, His Holiness has indicated that he will share his plans regarding his succession, raising critical questions about the future leadership of the Tibetan people. This moment presents an opportunity for reflection and discussion on what lies ahead for Tibetans both within and outside of Tibet.

The discussion will be held in English.

Guests

Ms. Chemi Lhamo
is a Tibetan-Canadian activist and Campaign director of Students for Free Tibet. She is the community health lead at Parkdale People’s Economy and serves on the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust’s board. Lhamo has previously served as the CEO and president of the Student’s Union at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She has also served on the boards of the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario and Students for a Free Tibet Canada.

Prof. Kumar Anand
Educated at Banaras Hindu University, and University of Chicago. Taught sociology at Banaras Hindu University and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Visiting professorship at 6 foreign and 7 Indian universities. Authored and edited several books in Hindi and English. Actively engaged with the Tibetan community since 1992.

Dr. Tenzin Desal
is a senior research fellow of the Tibet Policy Institute, Dharamshala. He is a trained anthropologist with fieldwork experience among the exiled Tibetan population and various communities that are categorised as ‘hill tribes’ in India. Also, he currently serves as an elected member of the board of advisors to the International Seminar of Young Tibetologists

Ven. Geshe Lhakdor
Serving as Religious Assistant and Translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for 16 years, he traveled to over 30 countries, sharing Tibetan Buddhism's wisdom globally. With academic achievements, he holds a Master's in English from Punjab University and an MPhil from the University of Delhi.Today, he holds prominent roles, including Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Chairman of the Council of Education, and Honorary Professor at the University of British Columbia and Delhi University.

Anna Sawerthal
is an editor at the Austrian daily newspaper "Der Standard," stationed in Vienna, where she contributes to the International Desk with a focus on Asian affairs. She holds a MA degree in Tibetan and Buddhist Studies from the University of Vienna and completed her Ph.D. at the research center "Asia and Europe in a Global Context" at Heidelberg University.