Students for a Free Tibet Action camp, 2013.

Free Tibet! Action Camp is a week-long intensive training in the skills and strategies of nonviolent action and grassroots organizing for the current and future leaders of the movement for Tibetan independence.  

Camp will give you the skills to be a leader in the movement to free Tibet, and give you the energy to keep doing it for the next ten years!

Action Camp immerses participants in a comprehensive curriculum that includes the history and philosophy of applied nonviolence, grassroots organizing, campaign strategy, media advocacy, nonviolent direct action tactics, political theater, fund-raising, and more.
The camp brings together student activists, Tibetan community organizers, and seasoned human rights campaigners from around the world for a week of workshops, presentations, and discussions to advance the goal of human rights and freedom for Tibet. 

OUR HOME FOR THE WEEK

Non-violent direct action training!

...even learning to climb!

Celebrating Tibetan culture

Making lifelong friends and establishing connections across the world...

Warriors for rangzen!

Learning about true solidarity.

Leaving the campsite with more inspiration and determination for the cause than ever before.

Amie's thoughts:

Going into action camp was like stepping into a new way of life where every day you lived for a purpose and shared dream with those around you. For seven days we ate, slept, breathed 'Resistance' in all it's forms; and some were more easy to face than others! From 7am you were up and out in the German countryside, learning how to strategically fight in this struggle. This camp brought together Activists and Tibetan freedom fighters from all across the globe and threw us into one melting pot of campaigns teachings, direct action training and network building. From our own spot at Edinburgh back home, it was liberating to become connected to so many inspirational Activists from as far away as Taiwan and Brazil; each reflecting the same determination for solidarity in their hearts.

Each of us going into this had brought our own personal goals and aspirations, but as the pot boiled, often the most unexpected of realizations would spit out. It was certainly a week for eye opening personal experiences; and with so much to challenge each and every individual, personal reflection at the end of each day was a welcomed break before we would again, be hit with the realization of the severity of the cause we are involved with in our interactions with Tibetan heroes, ex-political prisoners and Documentary makers that have risked their lives to tell us their story. 

It was this diversity of experiences, coupled with the friendships and bonds you could make with fellow Activists and supporters across borders which made this experience so dynamic and brought to you lessons in ways outside a classroom. Although taking practice in 'stepping back', may have been an unexpected mountain to climb, the view of my Tibetan friends and Supporters pushing themselves to the next level and inspiring those around them was worth all the challenge. I'm thankful that I could be there and witness it.

Although you often leave such heartwarming experiences with a sense of sadness that you cannot live in those moments forever; the week has create a new bundle of reserve energy within each of us, with the ability to reach into our memories and hold onto that feeling every time things get too much. Sometimes in Tibetan Freedom struggle we can feel alone in our efforts to bring about change; Which is why i am so thankful to have been part of such a strong family of activists at Edinburgh University. However, i have often felt as a non--Tibetan supporter, unsure of my place in the movement; whether i am steeping up too much , and how my actions are affecting what is in reality not my cause. Then i went to Germany.

Going to action camp demonstration a vision of the future. A future where Tibetans have full control over their Resistance and are not only effectively bringing about change in their community, but that change is creating a rippling effect; crashing across the globe. This could be seen in the demographics of nationalities present, and the fact that so many foreign supporters are inspired to Action. I remember the a special quote by Gandhi, 'where there is love, there is life', and truly, the courage and determination i was fortunate enough to witness on this camp proved to me that there will always be life in the Tibetan Freedom movement, as long as it is led by the shared love for this vision. So as a non-Tibetan supporter, Action camp taught me that sometimes space is the greatest thing you can bring to the movement; space to learn, space to grow and most importantly, space for this Vision to come about; after all, this is what we are all fighting for.

And if you like the sound of Action camp, get your own activist training at...

SFT UK national training conference 2013!

Get ready for an engaging and energy packed weekend, coming soon! If you missed out on this years Action Camp in Germany, now is the time to brush up on some training and meet some amazing like minded activists in the country.

The annual action packed SFT UK conference is fast approaching! This year we're heading to University of Sussex on the 2nd and 3rd November!

India Trip 2013!

Edinburgh University Tibet Society is aiming to run a trip to India and Dharamsala in 2014 as well! Read more about it here, and if you'd like to go, then come to one of our meetings and find out more! They are on Thursdays, at 7pm at the Chaplaincy, Room 1.

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In June 2013, ten members of Edinburgh University Tibet Society (Takuji, Amie, Nicky, Nina, Eric, Mandy, Eleanor, Luke, Meriel and Ed) travelled to India on our first ever trip to Dharamsala- the centre of the Tibetan exile community and the hub of the Tibetan freedom movement in exile.

Whilst here our key aim was to learn from and take direct involvement in some of the biggest and most influential Tibetan freedom groups and some of the longest serving Tibetan freedom fighters, political prisoners and high profile activists, in order to gain knowledge and better campaign for the Tibetan cause as an individual, and as a society. We were blessed to meet so many leaders and freedom fighters of the Tibetan struggle, and now that our five week trip is over, we have gained more inspiration and determination for the cause than ever before.

Our long journey through India to the town of Dharamsala in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, began far away down south, where we arrived to the chaotic and bustling city of Mumbai:

The busy streets of Crawford Market

Next we headed northward to Delhi where three of us stayed in Majnu ka Tilla, Delhi's Tibetan refugee quarter set up in 1960 following the Tibetan Uprising of 1959, whereafter many Tibetans were forced in to exile. Currently around 2500 Tibetans live in this small area.

Ed next to the entrance of Majnu ka Tilla

Whilst in Delhi, we went on a day trip to Agra, to see the Taj Mahal. From here onward, we split off into different journeys through India to find our way ultimately to reach Dharamsala.

India trip 2013 outside the Taj Mahal!

Mandy and Luke in Kerala and Goa

Amie and Takuji in Manali

And the rest in Rajasthan- stopping at Pushkar, Udaipur, Jaipur and up north to Amaritsar.

Dharamsala

Here we were met by Students for a Free Tibet India (SFT) and took part in their two week activism program, which gave us an in depth experience into the reality of the issues affecting Tibet today, and how we can take effective action back home in Scotland. In the first week, they gave us the chance to meet and discuss with some of the most influential and inspirational figures of the Tibetan movement, along with a tour of the exile Tibetan organisations and NGOs.

We first visited the Tibetan museum and saw the Tsug-la-khang, the Dalai Lama's temple;

Team photo in the temple courtyard

Scarf worn by a political prisoner at the Tibetan museum. The scarf would have been an item of concern for the Chinese government as it is an important part of the Tibetan lifestyle. That is survived the prison is a testament to the strength of its owner.

visited the Gu Chu Sum movement and met with an ex-political prisoner whom gave us an insight into the harsh realities of his arrest and life as a political prisoner

Entrance to Gu Chu Sum association

met the Tibetan Youth Congress and discussed their strategies and campaigns for an independent Tibet 

Discussion with the Tibetan Youth Congress

visited the Tibetan Women's Association whom aims to promote global awareness of the situation in Tibet and promote equality especially to Tibetan women inside and in exile of Tibet 

Nicky handing the Tibetan Woman's Association the white scarf.

met the Tibetan writer and poet Buchung D Sonam 

Buchung D Sonam telling us what he thinks is critical in the non-violent Tibetan freedom movement, and his inspirations for his works

saw the Tibetan Children's Village and learnt about education for exile Tibetans, as well as visiting an orphange  

Tibetan Children's Village playground

The kids having fun with Amie

saw the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives 

trawling through the archives dating back many centuries

met a Member of Parliament, a representative from the Department of Informations and International Relations, and a representative from the Environmental Desk of the Tibetan government in exile;

Meeting the representative from the Department of Informations and International Relations at the Tibetan Government in Exile

had a private interview with the Tibetan Prime Minister of the government in exile, Lobsang Sangay;

Meeting Lobsang Sangay, the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile.

saw the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy whose work include monitoring, researching and exposing human rights violations inside Tibet to the international community;

Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy answering our questions

had an interview with activist and poet Tenzin Tsundue;

An interview and discussion with  activist Tenzin Tsundue

visited Voice of Tibet, a Tibetan radio broadcasting centre and LHA, a grassroots, non-profit social work organisation in Dharamsala providing for Tibetan refugees

LHA showing us about their organisation and work 

had a workshop with Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) India, on campaigning strategies and methods back home in Scotland, as well as their strategies in campaigning for a free Tibet;

Jigdral of SFT giving us an activism and campaigning workshop

visited the Mentse Khang (Tibetan medicine centre), Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Art, and Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, where we managed to see some traditional Tibetan Opera;

Tibetan opera performance by TIPA, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts

and had a private audience with H.H. Karmapa.

H. H. 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

The following week we each interned at the various organisations around Dharamsala that we were introduced to and more, including the Tibetan news centre Phayul, the SFT office, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Tibetan artist Karma Sichoe and LHA.

Throughout our trip we made new and lifetime friendships with the Tibetans and locals there, and enjoyed together momo making, tsampa eating, open mic nights and some nights out at Mount View, Dharamsala's only club...

Our friends teaching us how to make momos!

Some Thoughts and Reflections by Our Members...

One thing we all really noticed on this trip was how diverse our society was, with each of us coming from such different backgrounds and places, and all with a wide array of different ideologies and ways of thinking. You would not think to put us all into the same room, let alone put us together for 6 weeks on a journey to learn about the reality of issues affecting Tibet today and about effective campaigning for the non-violent Tibetan resistance movement that we could take back to Scotland. 

One thing we all had in common in a way, was that none of us were really born activists. None of us even really grew up knowing the realities of how intense the hardship of the Tibetan struggle was; but we had all come together to work for one cause, and all of us had become such warriors for this movement through our passion, love and determination. I was so inspired by the energy and enthusiasm that had sparked within our society members throughout our whole time in Dharamsala.

At first, I found it a little difficult to understand this little town; how did this place function? How did people live their daily lives here and sustain themselves? How did the exile Tibetans integrate with the local Indians? How did, what seemed like such a settled, stable and fixed refugee community, come to be? Dharamsala is full of different layers- travellers and bikers, international tourists and Indian tourists, short term and long term volunteers, Buddhist followers and Christian missionaries, yoga teachers and photographers, local Indians and Tibetans in exile, all make up the chaotic spectrum of what is such a unique place. The longer we stayed here, the more questions as well as answers I began to find. After a while I soon realised that this place was not settled or stable at all, but was a very transient and fluid place. 

‘See you all in Tibet. We’ll all sit around a big table together in Lhasa and celebrate our freedom with Tibetan music, food, drinks and dance,’ said our Tibetan friends in Dharamsala as we said our goodbyes. This is not a mere dream; this is the future. Perhaps in this light, the most fluid and transient layer of Dharamsala is the exile Tibetan community. The exile community is not here to stay. And they have no intention of settling here. Tibetans in Tibet or in exile will never, ever give up in their fight for freedom and to be reunited with their home country. And we, will never, ever give up our solidarity to our Tibetan brothers and sisters and until they achieve this goal.

By Takuji Usui

When coming from 2 intense weeks travelling around the amazing mayhem of India, visiting Dharamsala really felt like stepping into a completely different country with its own little story. Hidden away in the mountains at a glance you would never know of the mixture of cultures and diversity McLeod Ganj holds. I’m not alone when I say there are numerous things that I felt about the Tibetan cause during the trip, all of which I still think about but don’t yet have an solid answer to. What was clear though was just how powerful the fight to keep Tibetan culture alive was never dampened. This real dedication and determination that Tibetan’s had has inspired me, as now I have seen for myself with my own eyes, talking to my own Tibetan friends and hearing their stories, just how unbelievably imperative it is to stand in solidarity with those who cannot go home to their native soil, free and at liberty. As much as Dsala is a beautiful part of the world it is a merely a temporary house, unfurnished. Tibet is home, with security and completeness.
I feel like this when I think back to the babies and young children at TCV, whose parents sent them over the treacherous trek through the Himalayas with strangers in the hope of creating a better and safer life for their children. These are the people that need to go home the most. Back to their parents and their families before it’s too late and they never see them again or never know of where they came from. One little girl had a small prayer square around her neck given to her by her mother. This cannot be the only thing she has to remember her mum by. Justice must be done and the sacrifice these parents make for their children must not be done in vain. The thought of those children’s children being brought up in exile is a thought that is unthinkable. Future generations of Tibetans must know and live in a safe and free Tibet.

By Nicoletta Primo

Debunking the romanticization of Tibetans; how we learnt about true solidarity.

'You went to Dharamsala? With all the Tibetan people there, it's so spiritual isn't it?'. Well, the smell of the main square at Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala was always a test of spiritual endurance. Although undoubtedly a heavy dose of food poisoning at the hands of momo eating contests may have had a lot to do with it, it seemed my experience of India was definitely not running along the dread-locked, baggy trousered spiritual journey that so many had told me of. Instead, on my 'path', I was being showcased the reality of raw human nature, which, on many occasions, told spirituality where to go. What I felt India offered us was a society of contrasts. Like the thick rope barrier that stands outside the Taj Mahal palace, these contrasts constantly asked you to think about your position in society, and who you are ‘standing in solidarity’ with. But what did solidarity actually mean? It’s something that is often thrown about in social justice movements; though in the context of the Tibetan cause, only Dharamsala told me the answer.

Solidarity does not mean working with those in authority, those in power, or even those with the most coherent plan. Solidarity is offering your active support and understanding for a people in need. Even in Mcleod Ganj, i heard criticisms of this movement on certain pre-conditions. They may feel the goal of Rangzen is impossible, or do not agree with Tibetans methods of resisting their occupation; as if Tibetans living inside occupied Tibet do not have enough intelligence of the world to effectively combat their own struggle. As I stood Looking in the face of the formidable snow peaked Himalayas, having had meetings with official after official from every authority in Mcleod ganj, I began to feel like those mountains were screaming something back at me. Now I realise, it was the raw human reality of Tibetan people today. That the cry for solidarity is being radiated across these mountains from the flames of sacrificing self immolators, from sons and daughters drying their blood in Chinese prisons and from victimized Nomads wasting away behind concrete walls which serve as a literal embodiment of the political prison already occurring on the grasslands of Tibet.

A British anthropologist who worked on the issue of Self immolation once told me, ‘you shouldn’t be working for the cause of Tibet because you are a Tibetan sympathiser, as if they are always right; you should be working for Tibet because it is that 5 million innocent people are living without freedom, and that, is horrendously wrong.’ But until going to Dharamsala, I never let his words sink in. The Tibetan people are not some remnants of a Buddhist Shangri-la that all westerners can learn how to cultivate inner compassion from. And at the same time, not all of them are born devout activists with pre-packaged knowledge on non-violence. They are people. A people that have been violently oppressed by foreign structures of authority for the last 54 years.

No People should have to give up their way of life or connection to their land just because it’s unprofitable, no people should be forced to leave their family and flee to a foreign land as a child just because they are Tibetan and no People should ever have to live each day in a state of fear just because they were born at a time the world didn’t want to listen These people should have Freedom; what we can offer to that, is our solidarity. So let’s never again give them pre-conditional support instead.

Now and forever more, Bod Gyalo.

By Amie Robertson

Dedicated to all my Tibetan friends who have shown me what true solidarity means.

Tibet Society 2012-2013

What a busy, busy year we've had. We have all just about recovered from our month long society trip to Dharamsala in India, and it's time to reflect on some of the absolutely amazing things we have achieved 2012-2013; Don't forget to check the galleries for more photos!

Tibetan National Uprising Day: the biggest Tibetan demonstrations that Edinburgh has seen- the 53rd Tibetan Uprising Day protests to the Chinese consulate, in a day of global action in solidarity with the Tibetan non-violent struggle for freedom. Read more here.

Occupied Nations Solidarity Demonstration, and Speak for Solidarity: several joint events with Students for Justice in Palestine, Free West Papua Group and Kashmir Solidarity Group including a march to the Scottish Parliament and a night of poetry and speech in solidarity with the occupied nations.

Tibet is Burning Day of Action: demonstrations and vigils held on a day of action following over 100 self-immolations taking place inside and out of Tibet in protest of the Chinese occupation.

Self-immolations Lecture and Tibetan Torture Survivors Talk: a talk from Tibetan Torture Survivors Program on Tibetan political prisoners and current human rights violations in Tibet, as well as anthropologist Dr Martin Mills giving us an insight into the act of self-immolation as a form of protest in Tibet.

Students for a Free Tibet UK Conference: Tibet society hosted the annual UK national Students for a Free Tibet 3 day conference aimed to strengthen and broaden individuals and societies across the UK to better campaign for the Tibetan movement.

Tibet Society Socials and EUSA Society Oscars: our classic end of term and start of term celebrations, from lovely pot-luck dinners and meals out, to nights out not to remember...We also won the EUSA society star award in the annual Oscars.

Open Mic Fundraisers: fundraisers for our society campaigns throughout the year as musicians and artists took to the stage!

Twistadelic for Tibet: Tibet society hosts the biggest night out in refresher's week at the Teviot Underground, fundraising for Tibet society campaigns throughout the year.

Tibetan Centennial Independence Day: Tibet society managed to raise a motion in the Scottish Parliament to commemorate Tibetan Independence Day after a huge petitions and letter writing campaign, collecting signatures from hundreds, and commemorating the independence day on the mound.

Panchen Lama's Birthday Protest: a protest at the Chinese consulate about the disappearance of the Panchen Lama, on his birthday.

India Trip 2013: a month long journey of a lifetime to the exile Tibetan community of Dharamsala, India. Read more about it here!

Come join Edinburgh University Tibet Society 2013-2014 for an unbelievable year ahead. Our meetings are on Thursdays at 7pm at the Chaplaincy, Room 1! Bhod Gyalo!

Tibetan uprising day 2013: Edinburgh Demonstration.

March 10th: Take to the streets, Join the resistance.

*EDINBURGH MASS DEMONSTRATION + DIRECT ACTION* 

stand in solidarity with courageous Tibetan people, resisting 54 years of systematic repression, persecution, and cultural genocide.

March 10th commemorates the Tibetan uprising of 1959 where an estimated 430,000 Tibetans were killed by the invasion of the Chinese military and one hundred thousand Tibetans fled with Dalai Lama into exile in India. This explosion of resistance was crushed by the onslaught of Military forces and led to the Chinese occupation of the Tibetan nation.

On this day every year there is an explosion of Tibetan resistance and mass protests inside Tibet, resulting in severe crackdowns by the Chinese and widespread brutality.

10.3.13

The bitter Edinburgh winds sent shivers down the spines of protesters, setting a reminder of the sobering reason for our march. As the wind howled across the square, we knew the turbulence of the weather reflected the scenes of the crisis in Tibet.

The reality of this crisis was made all too real when protesters were called forward to stand with images of Tibetan who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and ended their life in flames. The wind slowed to a quiet murmur as we read out the chilling testimony of sangay dolma, a 17 year old nun who is one of the 107 self-immolations in Tibet. The silence echoed an unspoken message, a shared consensus from every individual in the crowd; what is happening to the Tibetan people is fundamentally wrong, and the world must know.

In an age where Free markets have become substitutes for Freedom of speech and peace is measured by the state's profit, what shone out from the frosty demonstration was how much we have to learn about peace from the Tibetan martyrs.

The Tibetan national anthem broke the silence of the crowd and blasted a chorus of defiance through the heart of Scotland; it was time for us to speak out. Members of Scottish parliament such as Marco Biagi SNP and Alison Johnstone, Green party had their messages of support heard as they rallied on our actions. The cross party group on Tibet  stated, 'those who have the power to make change in this world in The International Community should surely stand up and be counted in solidarity with the people of Tibet, who ask for no more than their right to exist and have a say in the future of their country.' Above all our speakers aimed to deliver a message of peace, one that we were all fighting for. 

Marco Biagi, SNP speaks out in solidarity for Tibetans.

This message only amplified once we set off on our march to the Chinese Consulate, with protesters full of passion and energy, we shouted out for a Free Tibet to the people of Scotland and demanded that they live with the same rights that we all deserve.Members of the society expressed that the march was both beautiful and shocking. Beautiful to see such dedication, courage, passion, and solidarity people showed today as they united, from all over the UK, for Tibet. Our society felt honored to march along the streets with such inspiring, tenacious people.

150 supporters strong in the heart of Edinburgh.

What shocked us began at the consulate. We cried out in defiance at the consulate doors, being ushered to the back of the building by the authorities that guided our actions. It became all too clear that those in the free world must change our perceptions on what we deem as violent. The systematic persecution and cultural genocide of Tibetans in their home country arises nothing from the sentiments of our authorities  and yet a lone Tibetan protester in Scotland can become branded a criminal if he climbs the gate of the consulate walls to hang a flag of his nation on their door. However, this is not what alarmed us the most.

In the blink of an eye, a consulate worker emerged from the door, slicing through a Tibetan flag with a butchers knife before throwing it carelessly in the bin right in front of our eyes. The Tibetan people, who have had to watch their brothers and sisters of the Himalayas suffer through 54 years of repression had to now witness their national symbol being ripped apart in the 'free world'.  

It was shocking to see the same worker, rip apart images of teenagers, who have, and continue to light themselves on fire for freedom. And most shocking of all, was the complete and utter silence. As our demonstrators called for an answer to this cruelty  called for a response, we were sadly met by the steel hard gaze and the anxious barrier of the police force. People not capable of looking us in the eye as they shoved images of self immolation back in our faces, only to hit the ground, with nothing but the painful, impenetrable silence.

But over 150 people on the streets of Edinburgh today proved that we will break the silence. No matter how small we are, we are backed by the truth. And that is all we, and anyone who has ever fought against injustice, ever need. As we were joined by more supporters at the consulate, the sun began to break free from the clouds and new speakers such as James Moohan NUS Scotland, Doris Jones Nations without states and Fiona Lindsey from Tibetan Torture survivor program illuminated the reason we stood there today.

We will live to see the day when tortured prisoners, jailed for practicing their religion, speaking their language, listening to their anthem, daring to hold a picture of their leader, the Dalai Lama, will be free. We will live to see the day when people no longer douse themselves in petrol and give their lives to the flames engulfing their body, for basic human rights. We will live to see a free Tibet. There will be an end to the oppression. There will be an end to the unjust occupation of an independent nation. Because the end, as we have seen in as far back as history will take us, always comes. In times like these, we must remember to not lose hope.

Our passionate supporters at the Chinese Consulate.

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction..”
― Howard Zinn

This is the spirit of Edinburgh University Tibet society. This is the spirit of a team that will not stay silent to the suffering of the oppressed no matter how large the oppressor. This is the values of a team who's actions are inspired by the true warriors fighting on in the Himalayan mountains today. Their cries are the winds we felt howling, their courage is the sun behind the clouds.Bod Gyalo! Tibet WILL be free.