The 16th Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), under the leadership of Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has placed Tibet advocacy at the forefront of its efforts to restore freedom to Tibet. As part of this initiative, the CTA launched the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) in November 2021, aiming to empower Tibetans in exile, especially the younger generation, to contribute actively to the non-violent struggle for Tibet’s freedom.

V-TAG serves as a platform for Tibetans to engage in Tibet advocacy campaigns in their local communities and countries. The goal is to strengthen existing advocacy efforts globally by enabling every Tibetan to participate in meaningful ways. This initiative also aims to nurture a well-informed and dedicated generation that can carry the torch for Tibet’s freedom movement, preserve Tibetan identity, and ensure the long-term survival of the Tibetan community.

Key Objectives of V-TAG:

1. Strengthening Global Advocacy: V-TAGs act as a volunteer-driven advocacy network primarily composed of young Tibetans. By taking part in advocacy campaigns, V-TAG members will work to raise global awareness about Tibet’s plight, particularly focusing on the existential threats posed by China’s policies, including religious persecution, cultural assimilation, economic marginalization, and environmental degradation.
2. Leveraging Diaspora Strength: The Tibetan diaspora, spread across more than 20 countries, offers a unique opportunity despite many challenges. Many Tibetans are well-integrated into their local societies, fluent in local languages, and familiar with the political systems of their host countries. This offers a significant opportunity for grassroots advocacy and international engagement, mobilizing support for Tibet from a position of strength and understanding.
3. Collaboration with Global Partners: V-TAGs are expected to work closely, primarily through the Offices of Tibet, with key stakeholders, including the Department of Information and International Relations, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Tibet Support Groups, and Tibetan Associations worldwide. By building alliances and coordinating efforts, V-TAGs will enhance the visibility and impact of the Tibetan cause.
4. Sustaining the Tibetan Freedom Movement: V-TAG’s mission aligns with the larger goal of ensuring that Tibet’s aspirations for freedom and human rights are achieved. This requires a sustained, united, and effective effort from Tibetans across the world, and V-TAG aims to serve as one of the key vehicles of the Tibetan movement until the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet are fulfilled and freedom is restored in Tibet.

In the face of China’s increasing assertiveness on global issues, including Tibet, East Turkestan, Hong Kong, Southern Mongolia, and Taiwan, the V-TAG initiative represents a timely and crucial effort to mobilize Tibetans everywhere to strengthen Tibet advocacy. By encouraging the active involvement of Tibetans—especially younger generations—V-TAG aspires to build a stronger, more resilient global advocacy network that will amplify the call for justice and freedom for Tibet.

List of Abbreviations:

TAS – Tibet Advocacy Section
V-TAG – Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group
OOT – Office of Tibet
DIIR – Department of Information and International Relations
TA – Tibetan Association
TSG – Tibet Support Group
PFT – Parliamentary Friends of Tibet (This includes all the inter-parliamentary support groups for Tibet)
MTP – Members of Tibetan Parliament in Exile

VOLUNTARY TIBET ADVOCACY GROUPS

Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Groups (V-TAGs) are voluntary networks of Tibetans formed to carry out advocacy campaigns in their respective places. Any Tibetan can become a member of V-TAG by registering online on Tibet.net (link under work at the moment due to migration to Microsoft). However, the advocacy activities are expected to be spearheaded mainly by the younger generation. V-TAGs will be region-specific and can be of any size.

V-TAGs will normally carry out localized Tibet advocacy campaigns in their regions, in collaboration with Offices of Tibet, Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Tibet Support Groups, and Tibetan Associations as and when required. It is of utmost importance for V-TAGs, OOTs and other stakeholders to be on the same page while conducting advocacy campaigns, hence the need to work closely with each other when required. To become a V-TAG member, a Tibetan must register their membership by filling the online registration form (link will be updated by TCRC once migration work is done) on Tibet.net.

1. Roles and Responsibilities 

The role of the “Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group” is to carry out well-planned, effective and efficient advocacy activities on issues related to Tibet, to create further awareness of the deteriorating situation inside Tibet and to garner stronger support from the international community. The V-TAG responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Initiate advocacy campaigns: V-TAGs shall undertake advocacy for Tibet under the supervision of the V-TAG Regional Coordinator in their respective
  regions.
• Commit to Tibet advocacy work: V-TAGs shall devote at least 1 week a year or more to advocacy activities.
• Prepare advocacy activity calendar: V-TAGs, through the Regional and Country coordinators, shall prepare and send a local annual advocacy calendar
  to OOTs.
• Identify supporters: Profiling present and prospective supporters, political leaders, eminent personalities, interest groups, and media in their locality is
  necessary for V-TAG to carry out meaningful advocacy initiatives.
• Elect Executive Teams, including Regional and Country Coordinators: Members shall identify and elect their group leaders amongst themselves on a rotational basis. V-TAG Regional Coordinators shall work closely with their members as well as OOTs and TAs.
• Devise Strategy and Implement Advocacy Campaigns: Each advocacy group shall devise a strategy for the successful implementation of all activities and campaigns mentioned in the calendar based on their local environment and may seek guidance from the Representative or the designated staff of the respective Office of Tibet in advance for better outcome and co-ordination Advocacy campaigns, including petitions and meetings, should have clear and concrete Asks. This should be well documented and shared with their members and OOTs. All V-TAGs shall notify respective OOTs of any upcoming advocacy campaign/events and provide timely updates to the concerned OOT.
• Conduct Membership Drive: Once the advocacy groups are formed, V-TAGs will conduct membership drives from time to time. Membership registration form is available on Tibet.net. The updated list of members will be accessible to the respective OOTs soon (currently under work/TCRC).
• Submit Reports: Advocacy groups may submit a report after completion of each campaign to the respective OOTs for news reports. Separately, a downloadable advocacy campaign/activity report template available online on Tibet.net must be submitted after the completion of each campaign to the
  respective OOTs with a copy to TAS.
• Undertake activities by nonviolent means: Advocacy activities shall be carried out lawfully, non-violently, and in a dignified way as per the law of the
  land.
• Complement prevailing organizations: The ongoing lobbying efforts at all levels, including at the federal level by OOTs and existing organizations shall continue, and the V-TAGs are advised to participate in such events. The advocacy activities by V-TAGs shall complement these existing work as and
  when required. In particular, advocacy campaigns by V-TAGs at the federal level and in the city where OOT offices are located must be conducted in
  coordination with the concerned OOT and other established advocacy organizations. V-TAGs are also expected to independently explore creative and
  new avenues for Tibet advocacy within the broader framework of V-TAG guidelines.

2. Jurisdiction of V-TAGs:

V-TAGs will initiate advocacy activities locally within the jurisdiction of their town/city/state of residence. If needed, collaborations between V-TAGs under the same jurisdiction of OOTs can be worked out.

3. Membership:

All Tibetans are eligible to become a V-TAG member, as long as the individual is committed to advocate for Tibet or contribute to the advocacy efforts while abiding by the guidelines set here.

However, V-TAG member(s) may be dismissed from the network if he/she is found to have misused the platform and/or is inactive for an extended period of time. Dismissal requires consensus among three parties: the concerned OOT Representative, the V-TAG coordinator, and TAS, DIIR. Such member(s) will be first communicated with and informed of the concern(s) raised regarding their detrimental actions or inactivity on their part as V-TAG member(s). If the issue(s) persist, the concerned OOT – after reaching the required consensus amongst the three parties – will provide a written notification of immediate dismissal and disassociation of the said member(s) from V-TAG membership. V-TAG Coordinators must inform the concerned OOT and TAS of voluntary withdrawal of a member so that the members list remains updated.

4. Target Audience:

• Decision-makers including the president, the prime minister, the cabinet, parliamentarians, related office holders, community leaders and the ministry of
  foreign affairs and external affairs, foreign relations, and relevant committees such as Congressional-Executive Committee on China, Tom Lantos Human
  Rights Commission in the United States,
• University faculties and student leaders, researchers,
• Town council, mayor, and other local government and regional officials, elected public representatives,
• Human rights associations, think-tanks, media, entertainment and sports personalities,
• Interest groups (Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, Environment organizations, Overseas Chinese residents, NRIs, etc.)

Structure and Role

1. TIBET ADVOCACY SECTION:
   Tibet Advocacy Section (TAS) has been formed under the Department of Information and International Relations. The section is headed by Dukthen Kyi, Joint Secretary, and four supporting staff to liaise between the V-TAG Regional Coordinators of the respective OOTs. The main responsibilities of TAS are as follows:

• • • Briefing Paper & Advocacy Materials: The primary task of TAS, DIIR, shall be to prepare briefing papers and advocacy materials for the V-TAGs. These materials shall be made available to the V-TAG regional coordinators through OOTs and will also be publicly available on V-TAG portal on Tibet.net.
    • Develop Content: TAS shall regularly update current issues in Tibet to V-TAGs through OOTs.
    • Provide Capacity Building Training: TAS shall provide orientations and advocacy training to V-TAG members in collaboration with Offices of Tibet and other Tibet-oriented advocacy organizations.
    • Provide Platform: TAS shall create platforms for influencers and leaders identified by V-TAGs to share new ideas, ways and means to benefit others. This could be done through conferences at national, regional, and international levels. TAS will convene international meetings for VTAGs independently or in collaboration with the OOTs.
    • Provide Report Template: TAS shall design an advocacy campaign/activity report template for V-TAGs. This report template will serve the dual purpose of facilitating groups in reporting their activities as well as enabling OOTs and DIIR to get all the necessary and relevant information and suggestions. The reporting template will be available on the portal.
    • Publish Advocacy Campaign Reports: TAS shall coordinate and guide V-TAG coordinators in publishing V-TAGs’ advocacy news reports on the official CTA website Tibet.net. V-TAG coordinators shall submit the news report to DIIR by keeping concerned OOTs in the loop.
    • Maintain Close Coordination: One key task of TAS is to maintain regular coordination between V-TAGs and OOTs, as well as other stakeholders.
    • Assess Monitoring and Evaluation: TAS in coordination with OOTs shall evaluate the workings of the V-TAGs as per campaign reports submitted by V-TAGs periodically for further improvisations.

2. OFFICES OF TIBET:

The main responsibilities of Offices of Tibet (OOTs) are to reach out to governments, parliaments, think tanks, media, TSGs and the public under their jurisdiction on issues related to Tibet. However, they shall also perform the following concerning V-TAGs.

• Guide V-TAGs: OOTs shall reach out to V-TAGs under their jurisdiction and guide them on common Asks in line with the approach of the OOTs in their diplomatic efforts.
• Create Opportunities: OOTs will create opportunities for the V-TAGs at national and multilateral events whenever possible.
• Facilitate Networks: OOTs shall facilitate networking between and amongst V-TAGs, TSGs, TAs, and PFTs to enable the pooling of resources in carrying out coordinated advocacy campaigns.
• Assist in Orientations and Training: OOTs shall conduct orientation, capacity building trainings and advocacy strategy meetings for V-TAGs in collaboration with Tibet oriented advocacy organizations and, shall also conduct and coordinate regional meetings independently or in collaboration with DIIR or any other useful organizations.
• Provide Space in Diplomatic and Advocacy Campaigns: OOTs shall continue their diplomatic efforts at all levels under their jurisdiction. OOTs in their diplomatic and advocacy campaigns, can provide space for V-TAGs wherever and whenever possible.
• Support in Membership Drives: OOTs shall reach out to Tibetan community under their jurisdiction and help organize V-TAGs by encouraging enrolment from as many Tibetans as possible.
• Designate a Staff Coordinator: OOTs shall designate a staff member as the V-TAG coordinator and assign him/her the responsibility to coordinate with V-TAGs, TAs and TAS on the matters relating to V- TAGs.
• Submit V-TAG Reports: OOTs shall submit news reports received from V-TAGs to TAS after completion of each campaign activity.
• Evaluate and Provide Periodical Feedback: OOTs in coordination with TAS shall evaluate the workings of the V-TAGs as per campaign reports submitted by V-TAGs periodically for further improvisations.
• Voluntary Internship Opportunity: V-TAG members may be engaged as voluntary interns at the OOTs for the benefit of both the parties.

3. TIBET SUPPORT GROUPS:

TSGs can provide guidance, training, and support to V- TAGs. One of the main tasks of TSGs is drafting advocacy-related documents, since many including the International Tibet Network, Students for Free Tibet, Canada Tibet Committee, Free Tibet Campaign, Tibet Initiative Deutschland and Australia Tibet Council have the expertise and experience of working on various campaigns. TSGs will also engage V-TAGs advocacy members in activities/campaigns in their respective jurisdictions. Wherever and whenever possible, TSGs shall assist V-TAGs in building networks with MPs and other important officials, personalities, and media, etc. to substantiate their campaigns.

4. PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF TIBET:

PFTs can provide guidance and support such as introducing V-TAG members to other MPs, facilitate in making appointments, and invite V-TAG members to lobby and testify in the parliament.

5. TIBETAN ASSOCIATIONS:

The TA executive members function voluntarily and much of their time is spent on matters
relating to the TAs. Hence, they could devote limited time to advocacy work. However, TAs
can support V-TAGs in the following ways:

• Mobilize Membership Drive: TAs shall play an important role as a nodal point for mobilization and encouraging participation in V-TAGs in their regions and work in close coordination with OOTs and V-TAG Regional Coordinators. TAs shall recognize the contributions of V-TAG members at public events to motivate Tibetan youths and others to join V-TAGs. While organizing major events, TAs will supplement human resources for specific advocacy campaigns.
• Provide Financial Support: Since V-TAGs are also voluntary in nature, TAs will assist in fundraising events of advocacy groups or provide financial support for the activities of V-TAGs.
• Support to Enhance Advocacy Campaigns: TAs in coordination with OOTs shall help organize V-TAGs in their respective locality and provide V-TAGs necessary support to enhance advocacy campaign works in their respective area of operation.

6. MEMBERS OF TIBETAN PARLIAMENT-IN-EXILE:

The members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile could play an advisory role and participate in
V-TAG activities in their region as much as possible.

Note: This Guideline is subject to updates as per circumstances. This latest version was revised
on 30 January 2025.

 Jurisdiction of Respective OOTs

OOT Washington DC: (Representative for North America) and UN Affairs.

OOT Geneva: (Representative for Central and Eastern Europe) Switzerland, (including UN Affairs in Geneva), Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, the Vatican, Malta, Greece, Turkey, San Marino, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo.

OOT Brussels: (Representative for Western Europe, Maghreb and EU) Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Monaco, Andorra, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, EU Affairs and UNESCO.

OOT London: (Representative for Northern Europe) U.K, Ireland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway,
Denmark (including autonomous Greenland), Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

OOT Moscow: (Representative for Mongolia and Commonwealth of Independence States, CIS) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

OOT Canberra: (Representative for Oceanic and Southeast Asia) Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

OOT Tokyo: (Representative for East Asia) Japan, North and South Korea and the Philippines.

OOT Taipei: (Representative for Taiwan) Taiwan.