Lessons from Tibet on Repression and Nonviolent Resistance: School of Diplomacy Hosts Human Rights Activist

Chemi Lhamo, an aspiring human rights activist, currently serves as the Campaign Director at Students for a Free Tibet and on the leadership council of the World Liberty Congress, a global network for democracy leaders, human rights advocates and activists from more than 60 countries who are living under authoritarian regimes. Formerly, she represented Canada on the Steering Committee of the International Tibet Network. She was recognized by Canada’s Maclean’s Top 50 Power List of 2022. She has also been honored with the 2020 Global Icon of Tibetan Youth Award and the 2022 Urban Hero Award.

Born stateless in South India, Lhamo received her B.A. from the University of Toronto, with a double major in neuroscience and psychology. Her story was never easy and it was one of dedication to promoting Tibetan rights and freedom. Her parents had fled to India as refugees amid human rights violations and cultural pressure in Tibet. Their displacement during the Tibetan Diaspora symbolizes the tragedy of hundreds of other Tibetan families, who had to fight for their rights and Tibetan identity in exile. As an internationally known activist, Lhamo has addressed preeminent global forums such as the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, the Oslo Freedom Forum, the 2022 Winter Olympics and more.

Martin Edwards, PhD. Associate Dean of the School of Diplomacy said he is looking forward to Chemi Lhamo’s visit to the College Freedom Forum.

Diplomacy students are driven to create meaningful change. But change is hard, which is why it’s rare. One of the best ways to understand how to create meaningful change is to learn from someone who has done it. I’m hoping our students, in learning Chemi’s story, will take away lessons to apply to their own lives and become more resilient in the process.

Hosted and produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), the College Freedom Forum (CFF) links students with leading activists working to advance democracy and human rights in authoritarian nations. Through keynote speeches, panels and interactive activities, students explore some of the most urgent human rights challenges today. CFF provides students with fresh viewpoints for their academic work and encourages future careers in human rights, journalism, public policy, business and more.

The School of Diplomacy and Human Rights Foundation (HRF) brings a global conversation about Tibet to the heart of our campus in New Jersey. As future leaders, policymakers and activists in diplomacy, our students and faculty will have a privileged opportunity to hear directly from an internationally known human rights activist who has engaged with the world’s most pressing issues related to democracy and freedom in Tibet.

Categories: Faith and Service, Nation and World