On 24 September 2022, the Department of Information and International Relations’ Tibet Advocacy Section (TAS) staff members met with V-TAG Holland, V-TAG Belgium, and relevant stakeholders in Amsterdam and Brussels, respectively, to activate the V-TAGs in these two countries.
In Amsterdam (the Netherlands), TAS staff Dukthen Kyi and Tsetan Dolma, accompanied by the Office of Tibet – Brussels’ Accountant Tenzin Nordhen, held a meeting with V-TAG Holland members at the ICT Europe Office. The meeting was joined by V-TAG member and Tibet Support Group Netherland President Tsering Jampa, a well-known veteran Tibet advocacy leader, ICT Europe staff Choezom, President Dawa Tsering and the board (executive) members of the Tibetan Community Netherlands.
TAS head Dukthen Kyi led the meeting with an introduction of the V-TAG initiative and its objective to provide the new members with an overview of the whole initiative while also illuminating the roles of the stakeholders, specifically, the Tibetan association and relevant Tibet Support Groups, as well as provided an overview of the current status of the V-TAG membership worldwide. While reiterating the CTA’s role in providing support and guidance, she explained the roles of the V-TAG in carrying out well-planned, effective and efficient advocacy activities on Tibet. Furthermore, she strongly emphasised the need to activate and begin on-ground work of V-TAG with proper planning and a strategy. Both the current and new registrants of V-TAG members opined their experiences and questions during the candid discussion that lasted for three hours. The meeting focused on the activation of V-TAG Holland, as well as ideas, concerns, and constructive suggestions were shared to engage all members and the stakeholders.
Tsering Jampa, who last served as the ICT Europe’s Executive Director from 1999 to 2021, remarked that the timing of the V-TAG initiative is perfect and said, “As Tibetans we have to lead, not push and we have to start from somewhere. We have so much to tell the world about Tibet.” She also mentioned that it is important more than ever to increase visibility for Tibet in every form and level while also highlighting the importance of collaboration with similar groups and peoples like the Uighurs, Southern Mongolians, and Hong Kongers, etc.
OoT Brussels Accountant Tenzin Nordhen stated that it is important to increase membership but it is even more important to have a good working and effective V-TAG, even if it is small in size. Once V-TAG starts working and initiating advocacy work, there will be more support from fellow Tibetans, he added.
The positive responses from the stakeholders in their encouragement and support to the V-TAG members were quite inspiring.
Meeting with V-TAG Belgium and Stakeholders in Brussels
Simultaneously, in Brussels, Belgium, TAS staff Tenzin Palmo and Rinchen, along with Representative Rigzin Genkhang and Secretary Thinlay Wangdue of Office of Tibet Brussels, met with V-TAG Belgium members at the Office of Tibet Brussels. They first met with ICT Europe’s EU Policy Director, Vincent Metten to brief him about V-TAG and its role to strengthen advocacy for Tibet. Metten also gave a brief introduction on the international campaign. The meeting also included discussion on present TSG status with ICT, OoT Brussels and TAS.
Following this, the CTA team met with V-TAG members and also introduced V-TAG to new members and its role in an interactive way. The V-TAG members also gave suggestions that youngsters will get inspiration from youth leaders if they share their experiences and inspiring memories with them. Future training and orientations on advocacy with resources persons’ talks to the youth and Tibetans were also discussed.
As the DIIR staff members concluded the V-TAG meetings in Europe, the V-TAGs will continue discussions among their groups.
– Filed by Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR