Yangchen Nangpa
BOSTON, US, 28 December 2020
As a Tibetan-American living in North America, I want my Chithue candidate to be a mission-driven leader who instills a passion for Tibetan identity and the Tibet cause through zealous advocacy and activism. Among the crowd, Thondup Tsering is a candidate who lives his life in pursuit of promoting our cause through advocacy and youth engagement. Thondup la is a mission-driven leader in the truest sense of the word, and that is why he is my candidate for North-South America Chithue.
With a rising Tibetan population in North and South America, we now have over thirty Tibetan associations that are working closely with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) through the Office of Tibet to further the Tibet issue. As someone who has been working closely with one, I believe one of the growing challenges that our diaspora community faces is inclusive participation of Tibetan youth to further the Tibet cause and bolster their pride in Tibetan identity. Providing meaningful opportunities and leadership programmes for our youth are essential for strengthening Tibetan identity among our youth. While many Tibetan communities in the US are now attempting to undertake this challenge, Thondup la has been successfully tackling it as a community organizer and a leader in western Massachusetts for nearly twenty years.
Over the last two decades, Thondup la has worked diligently to build awareness and support for Tibet by consistently putting Tibet in the forefront of all major news outlets in Massachusetts, particularly western Mass. Thondup la is no stranger to networks of Tibet support groups across the US and elected officials like Congressman Jim McGovern and other state representatives in Massachusetts. His proactive lobbying efforts in Massachusetts and Washington DC contributed immeasurably to the introduction and thereafter passing of the 2019 “Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act”, followed by the passing of the “Tibetan Policy and Support Act” in the House.
In addition to his ongoing advocacy efforts, Thondup la has effectively mobilized Tibetan students in the Pioneer Valley area to organize political, social and cultural events on and off college campuses so that the issue of Tibet is well-known to western Mass residents and students. I have witnessed this first hand when I was at Smith College (2006-2010), and constantly sought Thondup la’s guidance when organizing socio-political and cultural events to raise awareness about Tibet. Through his relentless activism for Tibet and unwavering mentorship for Tibetan students, Thondup la has built an inclusive environment for Tibetan youth to advance Tibet activism in western Mass and to uphold their pride in Tibetan identity. Thondup la has inspired and empowered many young Tibetan students to take on leadership roles during and after college so that they become agents of change in our communities and take the issue of Tibet to the next level.
Thondup la’s strategic plan of actions are non-aspirational and practical objectives because he has already built solid foundations to achieve them if he is elected Chithue. To strengthen advocacy for Tibet, for example, Thondup la intends to create new connections between elected officials and Tibetan associations, and further explore internship and leadership opportunities for young Tibetans. These goals are attainable considering Thondup la’s track record of cultivating relationships with elected officials and providing a platform for Tibetan youth to engage in leadership roles. So as we head to the polling booths on 3 January, let us vote for a Chithue who walks the talk when it comes to strengthening identity, advocacy, and activism for Tibet.
About the author
Yangchen Nangpa is a Public Defender in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also the Co-Founder and Director of the Tibetan Youth of Boston (TYB).
Kelsang Phuntsok Jungney la from California has an impressive profile. He has years of community service and experiences working and leading the Tibetan community through RTYC since his college days and later as a board member, President, and advisor to the Tibetan Association of Northern California, which is one of the largest Tibetan community in the US. Currently, He is leading the Tibetan Sunday school as a principal and working on the Tibetan language and cultural preservation. The language and cultural preservation are crucial and relevant issues to me being a Tibetan and a parent raising a kid in a Foreign Land.
One and only Tsetan Phuntsok for North and South American Chithue 2021 candidate.
I would vote for Godruk Kalsang Phuntsok and Tenzin Rangdol, who had years of service in the Tibetan community; one as Tibetan Youth Congress President and other grass root volunteer. They know the Tibetan Charter and duties of a Tibetan parliamentarian. They would do utmost to their capability to advance the interest of Tibetan nation and Tibetan people. Above all, they are endowed with decent Tibetan characteristics and heritage. Both of these gentlemen had been aspiring to represent Americas at the Tibetan parliament for some years and now is the right time to elect them. Best wishes to these two fine gentlemen in the soon to be held Tibetan elections.
@Khampa Warrior, you need to do more research on Tenzin Rangdol. He is an opportunist guy in the league of Dadron Sharling type.
I will vote Lobsang Tenzing from Madison, straight forward and done many great things to Wisconsin Tibetan Association. He has done superb job during North American Tenshug in 2008.
I am voting for lawyer Phurbu Dorjee of New York. Phurbu Dorjee, former Supreme Justice Commission lawyer, current resident : New York.
He is a dedicated and knows the laws. He should have been Sikyong. He would have certainly done far better than the present incumbent. Vote for him.
Jamyang la, Phurbu Dorjeee la is not running for Chitue anymore.
Who is your second Chithue candidate ?