Lobsang Sangay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lobsang Sangay
བློ་བཟང་སེང་གེ་
1st Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration
In office 20 September 2012 – 27 May 2021
Succeeded by	Penpa Tsering
13th Kalon Tripa
In office 8 August 2011 – 20 September 2012
Preceded by	Lobsang Tenzin
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Foreign Minister of the Tibetan Administration in Exile
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 February 2016
Preceded by	Dicki Chhoyang
Personal details
Born	(1968-09-05) 5 September 1968 (age 56) Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Citizenship	American
Political party	National Democratic Party of Tibet
Children	1
Education	University of Delhi (BA, LLB) Harvard University (LLM, SJD)

Lobsang Sangay (Tibetan: བློ་བཟང་སེང་གེ་, meaning "kind-hearted lion") is a Tibetan-American politician. He was the leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in India from 2011 to 2021. The CTA is the government of Tibetans living in exile. It was formed after the 14th Dalai Lama decided to step back from his political duties. Sangay was the first elected leader to take on this important role after the Dalai Lama's decision. He holds American citizenship.

Early Life and Education

Lobsang Sangay was born in 1968 in a Tibetan refugee community in Darjeeling, India. His childhood was simple, spent helping his parents with their small business and chores like fetching wood.

In 1995, he earned a Fulbright Scholarship. This allowed him to study at Harvard Law School in the United States. He later received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Harvard. Sangay spent 15 years at Harvard University, first as a student and then as a senior researcher.

Academic Career and Achievements

In 2003, Sangay helped organize several meetings between Chinese and Tibetan scholars. One important meeting included the Dalai Lama and 35 Chinese scholars at Harvard University.

In 2004, he became the first Tibetan to earn a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School. This is a very advanced law degree. His special paper was about how a government in exile, like Tibet's, can still be democratic. In 2006, Sangay was chosen as one of the "Young Leaders of Asia" by the Asia Society. This group works to improve understanding between people in Asia and the United States. He is an expert in Tibetan law and international human rights law.

Sikyong: Leading the Tibetan Government

On March 14, 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama decided to give up his political and administrative powers. This was a big change for Tibetans. The Charter of Tibetans in Exile, which is like their constitution, was updated right away.

Lobsang Sangay speaking in Vienna, Austria, in 2012.

On April 27, 2011, Lobsang Sangay was elected as the Kalon Tripa, which is like the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Administration. He won with 55% of the votes. About 83,400 Tibetans were able to vote, and 49,000 ballots were cast. On August 8, 2011, Sangay officially took office. His title later changed to Sikyong, which means "Political Leader."

As Sikyong, Sangay focused on finding a peaceful solution for Tibet. He supported the Dalai Lama's idea of a "Middle Way" approach. This approach aims for real self-rule for Tibet within China, rather than full independence. He pointed out that China has "one country, two systems" in places like Hong Kong. He argued that a similar solution for Tibet would be good for everyone.

Lobsang Sangay meeting with Indian Minister of State Mahesh Sharma in 2015.

In 2013, he spoke about the importance of non-violence. He asked why Tibetans, who have used peaceful methods for decades, don't get as much support as other groups using armed rebellion. On March 10, 2013, the anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day, he honored those who died for Tibet's freedom. He also repeated his hope for a quick and peaceful solution with China.

In January 2017, the US ambassador to India hosted a dinner for Lobsang Sangay. This event included an Indian minister and actor Richard Gere. This meeting made China unhappy. In November 2020, Sangay made history by being the first leader of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration to visit the White House in 60 years.

Personal Life

Lobsang Sangay has been married for 23 years to Kesang Yangdon Shakchang. They have one daughter. His father passed away in 2004. Lobsang Sangay holds American citizenship and a United States passport.

Awards and Honors

Sangay has received several awards for his work:

• He was given the Presidential Medal award by Salisbury University in Maryland, USA, on October 13, 2015.
• He received the Gold Medal from the College Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin. This award was for his excellent contributions to public discussions.

See also

• List of foreign ministers in 2016
• List of foreign ministers in 2017
• List of current foreign ministers
• Foreign relations of Tibet