Dharamshala: As part of the V-TAG initiative, Department of Information and International Relations-CTA (DIIR) organised a ‘Tibet Advocacy Training and Youth Capacity Building program’ for a group of V-TAG members from North India to enhance personal skills in Advocacy, communication, and effective presentation at Lemon Tree Hotel in Dharamshala from 26 to 29 January 2024.
This morning, on the second day, DIIR Secretary Karma Choeying, as chief guest, delivered a keynote address to the participants. In his talk, he stressed, “With the older Tibetan generations slowly diminishing in exile, it is of utmost importance for the younger generations to take over in charge of the Tibetan freedom movement”. He underscored the participants to broaden their understanding of Tibetan history, the political climate in Tibet now, and the circumstances facing Tibetans both in Tibet and abroad in order to augment their advocacy proficiency.
In light of China’s systematic denial of rights and erasure of Tibetan identity through sinicization process, the Secretary further emphasised the need for younger generations never to forget the gracious contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for establishing and fostering this unparalleled exile Tibetan community and forging ahead with the Tibetan freedom movement.
Following an inaugural speech by Secretary Karma Choeying, a panel discussion was held featuring presidents and directors of Tibetan non-governmental organisations, including Gonpo Dhondup, the President of the Tibetan Youth Congress; Wangden Kyab, a researcher at Tibet Watch; Tsering Dolma, the Vice President of the Tibetan Women’s Association; and Tenzing Passang, the India National Director of the Students for Free Tibet. The session was moderated by Tenzing Dhamdul from the Foundation for Non-Violent Alternatives (FNVA).