Tibet activists meet in Mexico City for 2017 Americas regional strategy meeting
September 11, 2017
Canada Tibet Committee, September 9, 2017 – From September 1-3, the CTC participated in the Americas regional meeting of Tibet activists hosted by the International Tibet Network in Mexico City.
The event brought together Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Chile. It provided groups a unique opportunity to discuss new campaigns being carried out by their organizations. The TSGs in attendance also participated in workshops designed to build new skills such as strategic planning, improving communication strategies, and strengthening the movement.
During the meeting, CTC representative Ms. Kunchok Dolma, delivered a brief presentation on the recently-launched campaign around the Canada-China Free Trade Agreement. Given Canada’s priority on entering a free trade agreement with China, engaging the debate between business and human rights is a key CTC strategy for keeping the Tibet issue on the Canadian government’s agenda.
President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay delivered the keynote speech on the final day of the meeting. He stressed the importance of making the Tibet narrative relevant at the regional level as well as in the global context. President Sangay also emphasized the need to recognize and uncover China’s One Belt, One Road initiative in global trade.
Other speakers included Representative of Latin American Countries, Mr. Tsewang Phuntsok; TSG Liaison Officer of DIIR, Mrs. Sonam Sangmo; Professor Michael Davis from the University of Hong Kong and Jindal Global University; and Alan Cantos who led the team in Spain that launched a lawsuit against former Chinese leaders based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.