His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The 14^th Dalai Lama has been the Head of State and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people since 1940. He accepted full political power in 1950. In 1959, in reaction to China's aggression, he escaped to India and established the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala. In 2011, he formally resigned as political leader of Tibetans in exile, delegating his administrative and political authorities to the democratically elected leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration. He has also been involved in human rights issues, multi-religious dialogues, and issues concerning religious freedom. Despite China's resistance, the Dalai Lama is recognized as a moral and religious authority throughout the world.