For more info, contact us at: sftuk.org
Network building
_______________________ How SFT UK is helping build the Tibet movement
In 2011, SFT expanded its international online action network to over 60,000 people and our Facebook network grew to over 100,000. SFT has national networks in 10 countries, and 650 chapters, most based in universities. SFT currently employs 12 staff members worldwide, which from mid 2011 has included SFT UK’s Director Pema Yoko, who has been working remotely for SFT’s HQ in the US as well as leading SFT UK. In 2012, SFT UK aims to make this a permanent paid position, giving us more capacity to focus our work in the UK and build SFT UK into an effective non-profit organisation. Grassroots We’re also looking to expand our grassroots chapters in the UK, and have been pleased to see the Hastings and Edinburgh Tibet groups getting so active this year. We’ll be working to develop them in 2012, along with targeting new groups, visiting universities and expanding into sixth forms to raise awareness about Tibet and train young people to be advocates for social justice. We’ll also continue working with our established groups like those in Hull and Essex, continuing to provide campaigning materials, fresher packs, weekend training sessions and speaker tours. We’re growing as an organisation, but students will always be our backbone. We’ll be strengthening our commitment to empowering young people in the UK in 2012, and hope to see more students making an impact on their campuses and joining the board. Coalitions SFT UK’s influence in the UK Tibet Support Group coalition has grown in 2011, with us more able to take the lead in organising events such as the Panchen Lama vigil and Global Day of Action protests. We’re keen to strengthen the coalition in 2012 and help streamline our activities to put Tibetans in Tibet at the centre of everything we do. With the March Uprising Day and Mass Lobby coming up, 100 years after Tibet’s last official declaration of independence, we and our partners will keep putting Tibet on the map.
We’re also keen to develop our networking in other coalitions which SFT UK is a part of, such as Chinese, Uygur and Tibetan Solidarity UK and the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition. SFT UK also launched our One Struggle website www.sftuk.org/onestruggle to show how different causes are affected by the Chinese state, and will continue to network with peaceful causes oppressed by the Chinese state.
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Photos: SFT banner, members of Hull Human Rights Action group protest, Tibetans, Chinese and Uyghurs mark the anniversary of theTiananmen Square massacre. More info - http://www.sftuk.org/campaign/network-campaigns
the number of countries which currently have an sft presence.