Lobsang, President of the Tibetan Community in Sweden, giving a welcome address on the first day of the Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.

Stockholm, Sweden, 30 November 2024: More than 30 young Tibetans, primarily members of the Tibetan Youth Association (V-TAG) from six regions (Sweden, UK, Norway, France, Belgium and the Netherlands) under the jurisdiction of the Offices of Tibet in London and Brussels, gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, for a three-day Europe V-TAG Strategy meeting and training. The meeting was organised by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and was facilitated locally by the Tibetan Community in Sweden.

The meeting opened with a welcome address by Lobsang, president of the Tibetan Community in Sweden, followed by an inaugural speech from Tenzin Lekshay, Official Spokesperson and Additional Secretary for International Relations at the DIIR. Additional Secretary Lekshay highlighted the importance of empowering young Tibetans to advocate for the Tibetan cause, emphasising the need to build the capacities of the youth for future leadership in the Tibetan movement.

The first day featured a talk by Mattias Bjornerstedt, Chairperson of the Swedish Tibet Committee, who discussed the challenges and opportunities for Tibetan advocacy in Europe. Drawing on his extensive experience with the Tibetan cause, Bjornerstedt provided valuable insights into the current landscape and the future potential for European engagement.

Country coordinators from the V-TAG groups in the UK, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands also shared their reports, reflecting on past activities and outlining their plans for the future.

In the afternoon, Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Europe, led a training session on effective advocacy, engaging participants in group discussions aimed at strengthening their advocacy skills.

The day’s sessions concluded with a cultural celebration, as participants enjoyed traditional Tibetan dances, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of Tibet.

Ven. Thupten Wangchen and Thupten Gyatso, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile from Europe; Thupten Tsering, Coordinator of the Office of Tibet, France; Tenzin Kunga, Secretary of the Office of Tibet, London; Tenzin Phuntsok, EU Coordinator of the Office of Tibet, Brussels; and Ngawang Choedhar, DIIR Project Officer attended the meeting.

The meeting aims to further empower Tibetan youth (V-TAG) across Europe, providing them with the tools and strategies needed to continue their advocacy work for the Tibetan cause.

Tenzin Lekshay, Additional Secretary, International Relations of the Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration, delivering an inaugural address during the Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.

Mattias Bjornerstedt, Chairperson of the Swedish Tibet Committee, speaking on the Scopes and Challenges for Advocacy in Europe to the participants of the Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.

Tara Lhamo Urquhart, V-TAG UK Coordinator, presenting a V-TAG UK work report.

Rabten Sonam, V-TAG Belgium Coordinator, presenting a V-TAG Belgium work report.

Damian Sirso, former V-TAG UK Coordinator, speaking about V-TAG’s future plans.

Tenzin Choegyal Shedup, V-TAG France member, presenting a V-TAG France work report.

Tenzin Dolker, V-TAG Netherlands Coordinator, presenting a V-TAG Netherlands work report.

Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of ICT, Europe giving a training on advocacy.

Thupten Gyatso, Member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile from Europe, speaking at the Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.

V-TAG members participating in Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.

Group Discussion and activities at the Europe V-TAG Strategy Meeting and Training in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30 November 2024.