Rikon, Switzerland: On 10 October 2026, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), accompanied by Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau Geneva, visited the Tibet Institute Rikon in Switzerland for a meeting with members of the Institute’s Board to discuss prospects for future collaboration. During the interaction, the Director presented an overview of key initiatives, core focus areas, and upcoming milestones aligned with the Institute’s founding mission and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s four principal commitments.
Upon arrival, Sikyong and the accompanying delegation were warmly received by Khen Rinpoche, the Director, and staff members of the Institute. Sikyong subsequently held a meeting with the Institute’s leadership, where they discussed areas of mutual interest and concrete possibilities for strengthening future cooperation.
During the discussion, the Institute highlighted its primary focus areas, which include educational strategy, youth collaboration, support for women and nuns, science and interdisciplinary dialogue, and preparations for the Institute’s upcoming 60th anniversary.
The leadership also reiterated the Institute’s longstanding role as a living sanctuary of Tibetan culture and religion, embracing the non-sectarian (Rimé) principle with monks representing all four major Tibetan Buddhist traditions and hosting gatherings for diverse regional and community associations.
Established in 1967 and consecrated in 1968, the Tibet Institute Rikon is one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist institutions in Europe. It was founded with the support of Swiss benefactors Henri and Jacques Kuhn following the arrival of Tibetan refugees in Switzerland. Under the guidance and blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Institute has served for decades as a vital spiritual and cultural haven for Tibetans in Switzerland and neighbouring European countries, while fostering interfaith harmony and Tibetan Buddhist scholarship among the broader Western public.
Sikyong commended and acknowledged the invaluable contributions and dedicated service rendered by the Tibet Institute Rikon over the decades. He urged the leadership to sustain and strengthen these vital efforts, placing particular emphasis on expanding engagements with Tibetan youth to safeguard and pass on Tibet’s distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage to future generations.
On the same day, Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed the Tibetan community in Switzerland at the Zurich Marriott Hotel.
In his address, Sikyong introduced the 17th Kashag’s vision paper, “Securing Tibet’s Future,” highlighting key priorities that include resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict through the Middle Way Approach, preserving Tibetan cultural and religious identity against assimilation, supporting diaspora welfare, and advancing international diplomatic advocacy.
Furthermore, Sikyong discussed the legislative history of the Middle Way Approach (Umaylam), China’s systemic crisis, described as “China’s domestic headwind,” and the importance of nurturing youth through outreach, among many other topics.
Sikyong also spoke about efforts to secure Tibet’s future through continued US government support and policies on Tibet. He highlighted the importance of the passage of Tibet-related legislation in the US Congress, noting that such measures could encourage support from other countries. He also discussed efforts to engage with Chinese government counterparts through the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, whose role includes facilitating dialogue between the two sides.
Sikyong subsequently highlighted Professor Hon-Shiang Lau’s book, Tibet Was Never Part of China Since Antiquity, which draws on official historical records from ancient Chinese dynasties to argue that Tibet was an independent and sovereign country before 1951. He encouraged people to read the book to deepen their understanding of Tibet’s history.
Addressing the current situation inside Tibet, Sikyong spoke about the impact of China’s anti-espionage law on Tibetan society, noting that fear of surveillance and denunciation has eroded trust even among close friends, who can no longer speak freely with one another in private. Referring to recent developments in Tibet, he also highlighted the Chinese government’s blanket ban and closure of private Tibetan schools as part of its broader efforts to Sinicise education and undermine the Tibetan language.
He also emphasised the Kashag’s move toward AI integration and modern digital governance to streamline and strengthen the CTA’s administrative processes. The talk concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees actively engaged with Sikyong on pressing community and political matters.
