Dharamshala: On Sunday, 23 October 2022, the participants of the Tibet Network Asia and Australasia Regional Meeting held in Norbu House, Dharamshala, were illuminated on the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) initiative and how the Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) could engage in the initiative.
The third day of the meeting saw Tibet Advocacy Section Head Dukthen Kyi of the Department of Information and International Relations make a presentation on V-TAG to the participants. She spoke briefly about the background of V-TAG, the importance of Tibet advocacy in today’s time, and the need to strengthen advocacy through collaboration across similar-minded interest groups, organizations and individuals to achieve optimum outcome. The participants of the Asia and Australasia Regional Meeting consisted of representatives of various TSGs from Australia, India, Japan, Taiwan, the UK and the USA, as well as representatives from the local Tibetan Non-Governmental Organizations – many of whom have for many years actively engaged in the Tibetan movement and continue to organise Tibet advocacy campaigns. Hence, acknowledging the tireless and immense contribution TSGs and other organisations have made in the over 60 years in exile, she also highlighted the need for a coordinated and strengthened collaboration for Tibet advocacy. As the TSGs being one of the main stakeholders of V-TAG, Dukthen Kyi also explained the TSG’s role and how they could enhance advocacy for Tibet internationally through V-TAG. The session concluded with some questions on the TSGs engagement with V-TAG and some also shared their positive interest in future collaborations and cooperation.
Dukthen Kyi was accompanied by Tibet Advocacy Section staff Tenzin Palmo and Rinchen.
For the last session, the Honorable Sikyong Penpa Tsering had an interactive session with the participants in the evening where the Sikyong stressed on carrying out advocacy for Tibet effectively with a good understanding of Tibet’s history.
The Asia and Australasia Regional Meeting was organized by the International Tibet Network and Tibet Advocacy Section’s TSG liaison officer Tenzin Palmo attended the three-day training from 21-23 October 2022.
– Report filed by Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR