Education Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra Strengthens Global Support for Tibetan Education
By Tibet Rights Collective | October 9, 2025
Bavaria, Germany | October 7, 2025 — Education Kalon (Minister) Tharlam Dolma Changra of the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has embarked on an official visit to Germany from October 1–13, 2025, engaging with educational institutions, sponsors, and supporters of Tibetan education. Her visit underscores the Central Tibetan Administration’s continued commitment to ensuring quality education for Tibetan children in exile and raising global awareness of China’s systematic assault on Tibet’s cultural identity.
Upon her arrival in Germany, Kalon Tharlam Dolma was warmly received by members and sponsors of Initiative Oberland, a long-standing partner supporting Tibetan educational and welfare projects.
Engaging with Long-Term Supporters in Bavaria
On October 4, the Education Kalon met with members of Initiative Oberland in Mittenwald, Bavaria, where she expressed profound gratitude for their sustained solidarity with the Tibetan people. In her address, she traced the journey of the Tibetan exile community—from the hardships following China’s illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959 to the rebuilding of Tibetan settlements and schools in India with the support of the Indian government.
Kalon Tharlam Dolma reiterated the four principal commitments of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama—promoting human values, inter-religious harmony, the preservation of Tibet’s rich culture and environment, and reviving ancient Indian knowledge. “The success of the Tibetan education system in exile is a testament to His Holiness’ vision and the resilience of the Tibetan people,” she stated.
Highlighting Global Partnerships for Education and Welfare
On October 6, the Education Kalon met with representatives from Caritas Internationalis and the Rotary Club Garmisch-Partenkirchen, organizations that have played a pivotal role in supporting Tibetan welfare initiatives. She thanked the Rotary Club for its assistance to the Old-Age People’s Home and Primary Health Care Centre at Mundgod Doeguling Tibetan Settlement, including the provision of solar energy facilities and intensive care equipment.
She also lauded Initiative Oberland for its role in expanding the Mundgod Sambhota Primary School, thereby enhancing access to quality education for Tibetan children.
Raising Global Awareness on China’s Colonial-Style Boarding Schools
In her discussions, Kalon Tharlam Dolma shed light on the dire human rights situation in Tibet, particularly focusing on the forced enrollment of Tibetan children in Chinese-run colonial-style boarding schools. According to reports by Human Rights Watch (2023) and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2024), nearly one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and subjected to state-run institutions aimed at erasing their language, religion, and identity.
“These schools are part of Beijing’s broader campaign to Sinicize Tibet and dismantle its distinct cultural heritage,” Kalon Tharlam Dolma emphasized. Attendees at the meeting expressed concern and reaffirmed their continued moral and financial support for the Tibetan cause.
Promoting SEE Learning and Moral Education
On October 7, the Education Kalon visited the Benedictine Ettal Abbey in Bavaria, engaging with educators to discuss SEE Learning (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning)—an educational framework inspired by the Dalai Lama’s vision for holistic education. She highlighted how Tibetan schools in exile have successfully implemented SEE Learning to nurture compassion, mindfulness, and ethical awareness among students.
“The future of the Tibetan struggle depends on an education system that not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates empathy and ethical responsibility,” she remarked.
Continuing Outreach in Germany
From October 8–12, the Education Kalon is scheduled to deliver lectures and hold meetings at various German educational institutions. She will also meet members of the Tibetan community in Munich, where she will assess the weekend Tibetan language and cultural school that helps preserve the Tibetan language among the younger generation in exile.
Her visit will conclude on October 13, when she departs Germany for Delhi and subsequently returns to Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.
A Strengthened Global Network for Tibetan Education
Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra’s visit symbolizes the deep and enduring partnership between Tibetans in exile and their global allies. As China continues its campaign of cultural erasure inside Tibet, the efforts of international organizations and individuals remain vital in safeguarding Tibetan identity and promoting educational resilience in exile.