London: With the support of local Tibetans in Manchester, Leeds, Wirral and Liverpool, the Office of Tibet, London conducted intensive advocacy and awareness activities around the annual conferences of the Conservative and Labour parties this month. The office focused on two core messages at these political events: (1) interest and potential role of UK Government in the Tibet-China conflict resolution and (2) protection of Tibet’s environment to thwart a potential existential threat to humankind.

While a trinity of UK-based Tibet experts – Prof. Dibyesh Anand, Dr Martin Mills and Representative Sonam Frasi – spoke and answered questions from an engaged audience at a talk session moderated by Secretary Lochoe at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, an exhibition stand was booked for the duration of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

Representative Sonam Frasi and Secretary Lochoe Samten, supported by many Tibetans residing in the neighbourhood of the conference venue cities, engaged with parliamentarians, councillors, researchers and party members of the ruling and opposition parties as well as like-minded organisations, businesses and activists participating at these events. The team also had the opportunity to exchange solidarity with Hong Kong HRDs.

Tibetan volunteers also distributed information leaflets near the venues and the city centres to inform the public about Tibet.

At the Labour Party Conference, the Tibetan delegate met several MPs including some in the Shadow Cabinet – Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Shadow Defence Minister John Healy, MP Navendu Mishra, MP Catherine West, MP Ruth Cadbury, Shadow Attorney General MP Emily Thornberry, MP Fabian Hamilton and MP Siobhain McDonagh. The group also received India’s former Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid to the stand.

-Report filed by OoT London