JOHANNESBURG, South Africa:A two-day meeting cum workshop on strategic planning for Africa was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 7-8 February at Lamrim Centre. Participants include delegates from South African cities Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

The participants deliberated on the Strategic Plan Framework for 2014 – 2017. The meeting focused primarily on the common objectives and drew concrete action plans.

Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary, DIIR guided the workshop. Mrs. Nangsa Chodon, Representative, OTSA, Mr. Guy Lieberman (Long-standing friend of Tibet), Mr. Klasie Wessels, Mr. Philip Wyse (Trustee, Lamrim Buddhist Centre), and Laura and James (TSSA) and other Individual Tibet supporters were the main participants.

This meeting was deemed to be the first of such formal meeting of the various Tibet supporting partners in South Africa. The group also formed a coalition called Action Committee for Tibet (ACT) to further the cause of Tibet and to implement the action plans the meeting came up with.

This meeting has been made possible under the aegis of Tibet House Trust. Similar strategic planning meetings have been held in Europe and Latin America.

DIIR Secretary Tashi Phuntsok expressed deep satisfaction on outcome of the meeting and indeed on the enthusiasm shown by the participants. The meeting ended with much promise for Tibet movements in South Africa.

Report filed by: Office of Tibet, South Africa