Tibetan Professor Appointed as Religious Freedom Commissioner

By Jannik Kuhn / December 13, 2016;

Dr Tenzin Dorjee, Associate Professor at California State University
Photo: tibet.net

Dr Tenzin Dorjee has been appointed to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) who report to the US President. The appointment of Dr Tenzin Dorjee on December 8 was recommended by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. She is a firm supporter of the Tibetan movement and is serving her eighth term as House leader. She is also an old friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal organisation that is principally responsible for reviewing the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally, and for making policy recommendations to the President of the US, Secretary of State, and Congress.They research, inform people and fight for their rights of religious freedom.

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President of the United States and the leadership in the Senate and House of Representatives.

USCIRF Chair Rev Thomas J Reese, SJ said, “USCIRF welcomes Dr Tenzin Dorjee as our newest Commissioner. He will be a great asset to our Commission as we work to fulfill our mandate of highlighting serious threats to religious freedom throughout the world and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress on behalf of the cherished right of freedom of religion or belief and its fuller integration into US foreign policy.”

Dr Tenzin Dorjee is known as an eloquent writer of articles which refer to the Tibetan culture, communication and identity.In addition, he is a Tibetan Associate Professor at the Department of Human Communication Studies, California State University in Fullerton.His research interests and main teachings focus on intercultural issues, peace building, intergenerational communication, intergroup and conflict resolution.

He has been awarded for his dedication and commitment to service in various university capacities and communities, and is recognised for his extensive voluntary contributions to the study of Tibetan Buddhism and non-violence and for his work for the exile Tibetan leadership.