Dharamshala, 6 March 2026: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) met with Brian Joseph, Vice President of Programs at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and Pema Tulotsang, Senior Director and Program Officer at NED, earlier today on 6 March 2026.
Welcoming them, the Speaker spoke about the longstanding partnership between the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the National Endowment for Democracy, particularly noting the significant participation of NED’s current president Damon Wilson and former president Carl Gershman at the 8th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet (WPCT), organized by the TPiE in Washington, DC, in 2022.
Highlighting Carl Gershman’s role in chairing a panel discussion during the 8th WPCT and Damon Wilson’s visit to Dharamshala, the Speaker also referred to the NED’s Democracy Service Medal, which was awarded to Panchen Lama, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, and the NED’s Democracy Award to the Tibet Action Institute. He noted that the recognition boosted the morale of Tibetans, particularly as the medal was awarded to Panchen Lama, whose whereabouts remain unknown to the world.
The visiting delegation was also briefed on the composition and functions of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, as well as its future projects and programs. Discussions also covered several critical issues, including the coercion of Tibetan children into colonial-style boarding schools, the People’s Republic of China’s interference in the reincarnation process of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, and potential interference in the recognition of the future reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The visiting guests were also given a guided tour of the Parliament Hall.
– Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat
