Tibetans Unite to Preserve National Identity in Australia
The Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week was observed in Canberra on September 23, 2026. The event featured presentations by experts on preserving Tibetan identity and a question-and-answer session with community members.
Representative Karma Singey delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of observing the week. He provided background information on the Kashag's decision to designate the last week of September annually as Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week.
The speakers included Sonam Norbu Dagpo, former Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioner; Joshua Elser, co-founder of the Australian Association of Tibetan and Himalayan Studies; Tenzin Lhadar Ringapontsang, an economist and policy advisor who has served with the Australian Department of Finance, the Treasury, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the Prime Minister's department; and Yangchen Lhamo, a student of the ACT Tibetan Language School.
Sonam Norbu Dagpo spoke about how Chinese policies in Tibet have sought to undermine the identity of the Tibetan people since China's occupation of Tibet. He also discussed China's 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress', passed earlier this year, noting that while the law applies to all nationalities in the People's Republic of China, he argued that it has particular implications for Tibetans.