DHARAMSHALA: The 4th Asia Regional Meeting of Tibet supporters convened by International Tibet Network (ITN), a global coalition of Tibet support groups is currently underway at Norbu House, Mcleod Ganj.

Forty-six delegates from 14 Tibet support groups based in the US, UK, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Italy and India are participating in the meeting, aimed at generating new strategies and maximizing the impact of the worldwide Tibetan movement.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, accompanied by Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) inaugurated the three-day meeting.

Delivering the keynote address of the meeting, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay emphasised the Tibetan people’s utmost gratitude to the Tibet supporters for their strong commitment to the Tibet cause. He expressed that the support extended by the Tibet groups are crucial to sustain as well as amplify the Tibetan movement at a global stage.

Explaining that Tibetans are strategically disadvantaged in terms of demography to pose a formidable challenge to the Chinese government, Sikyong pinpointed certain issues of concern where the efforts of the Tibet support groups are pivotal to shore up support from world leaders and international rights groups.

He highlighted the political situation of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, the human rights violations, the rapid environmental degradation of the Tibetan plateau and the annihilation of Tibetan culture and heritage as the focal points of Chinese repression in Tibet, calling for a concerted effort to allay the sufferings of the Tibetan people.

Sikyong also underlined the importance of the role played by the Central Tibetan Administration as the vanguard of the Tibetan movement. He acknowledged that several Tibet support groups pursue a policy of complete independence as against the Middle Way Approach of the Tibetan administration. However, he expressed equal respect for all support groups and called for their wholehearted support and cooperation in the campaigns of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Ms. Sharling Dhardon, Co-Chair of the steering committee of ITN, in her inaugural remarks, outlined the aims and objectives of the meeting. She said that the three-day meeting would reflect on the past successes and failures of the Tibet movement and rectify the mistakes, if any, to strengthen the Tibetan movement. She also said that unity and co-ordination among the Tibet Support Groups is key to resolving the Tibet issue and restoring the freedom and dignity of the Tibetan people.

A comprehensive Tactics Report by ITN was also launched at the inaugural session by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.

The three-day meeting will see Tibetans and Tibet supporters exchange ideas, present successful campaigns, learn from experts and develop strategic campaign plans for the next 18 months.

The International Tibet Network was established in the year 2000, with specific aims to ensure effective coordination among the diverse Tibet support groups and strengthen their campaign capacities. The Network is committed to non-violence as a fundamental principle of the Tibetan movement.