Bylakuppe, 26 December 2025: The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration commenced a three-day South India V-TAG Advocacy and Capacity Building Training at Sera Jey Yiga Choeling Guest House, Bylakuppe, on 26 December 2025. One of the program’s key objectives is to draw the attention of Tibetan youth to their responsibility in advocating for Tibet’s freedom, while equipping them with essential advocacy, leadership and communication skills to strengthen Tibet-related awareness and engagement across South India.

Addressing the inaugural session, DIIR Additional Secretary Tenzin Lekshay underscored the importance of Tibetan youth taking ownership of Tibet advocacy, particularly within the evolving political and social context of India. He emphasised the need to make Tibet relevant to Indian audiences, foster meaningful engagement with Indian peers, and balance the preservation of Tibetan identity with effective integration into Indian society.

Additional Secretary Tenzin Lekshay also conducted sessions on communication, networking and media relations, highlighting their critical role in amplifying Tibetan voices and building public and international support for Tibet through clear messaging and strategic outreach.

Further sessions included a presentation by V-TAG India National Coordinator Kunsang Tenzing on leveraging social media for advocacy, stressing the power of authentic storytelling in the digital age.

In the afternoon, Lobsang Gyatso Sither, Director of Technology at the Tibet Action Institute and Member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, led an in-depth training on artificial intelligence, effective social media advocacy and digital security, with a focus on protecting the Tibetan community from cyber threats.

Around 35 students from universities and colleges across South Indian regions of Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Mundgod and Bylakuppe are participating in the training, which will continue until 28 December 2025. The program reflects the Central Tibetan Administration’s continued commitment to nurturing informed and capable Tibetan youth to lead future advocacy efforts for Tibet.

The program was preceded by participant registration and an ice-breaking session on 25 December 2025. This was followed by a “Momo Night,” during which participants prepared Momo together for dinner to foster camaraderie and mutual understanding. The evening concluded with a documentary screening on human rights violations in Tibet under Chinese rule, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

– Filed by the Tibet Advocacy Section, Department of Information and International Relations, CTA