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'''Students For a Free Tibet''' is a non-profit student-led organization that |
'''Students For a Free Tibet''' is a non-profit student-led organization that uses ], ], and ] ] to advance the cause of ]. | ||
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==History== | ||
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) was founded in ] by ]ans, supporters, and students in ] to use the influence of young people in order to press for human rights and independence in Tibet. Initially, SFT's activities were focused on |
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) was founded in ] by ]ans, supporters, and students in ] to use the influence of young people in order to press for ] and independence in Tibet. Initially, SFT's activities were focused on raising awareness amongst fellow students on campuses and at events such as the 1994 ] music tour. Students for a Free Tibet's profile and membership grew with the advent of the ]s, which served as the main way interested youths could get involved in the Tibetan independence movement. | ||
As SFT's membership and profile grew, the organization took on a greater role in the ]. SFT began coordinating with other Tibetan Independence Groups and |
As SFT's membership and profile grew, the organization took on a greater role in the ]. SFT began coordinating with other Tibetan Independence Groups and other human rights and environmental organizations to wage campaigns against companies and other institutions which it claims support ]'s role in Tibet. | ||
Currently SFT is an international network of more than 650 chapters |
Currently, SFT is an international network of more than 650 chapters at universities, colleges, high schools, and communities in over 35 countries. SFT's International Headquarters remains in New York City. There are also a few satellite offices and organizing hubs; SFT ] has an office in ], ] and SFT ] has an office in ], India SFT now has a number of programs including a Free Tibet! Action Camp. | ||
] | ] to be held in ].]] | ||
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==Programs== | ||
Students for a Free Tibet defines its core programs in two parts: ''Campaigns'' and ''Leadership Training''. |
Students for a Free Tibet defines its core programs in two parts: '''Campaigns''' and '''Leadership Training'''. | ||
SFT's campaigns focus on three areas: political, economic, and human rights. SFT's political campaigns are focused on generally advocating for Tibetan independence by pressuring both Chinese officials as well as SFT members' government representatives. SFT is well known for coordinating protests of Chinese dignitaries when they visit foreign countries. SFT's economic campaigns focus on attempting to prevent foreign corporations and other institutions from assisting China's governance of Tibet. These efforts have included boycotting Chinese-made goods as well as successfully pressuring the ] to cancel a loan for a controversial project involving moving Chinese settlers into a Tibetan area. SFT's human rights campaigns are focused on improving the situation of Tibetan citizens by advocating increased freedoms and rights and for the release of ]s and ]s. | |||
Students for a Free Tibet's |
Students for a Free Tibet's "Leadership Training" is focused on developing representatives for the Tibetan independence movement. Part of this is the annual "Free Tibet! Action Camp" at which dozens of young people gather for a week-long activism training session. The Action Camp is based on a model developed by The ], an ]-based direct action training organization that earned notoriety for its involvement in the ]. Students for a Free Tibet has been associated with the ] movement and it shares members with other ] and human rights organizations and movements, including The ], ], and ]. | ||
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==External links== | ||
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Revision as of 23:38, 16 June 2006
Students For a Free Tibet is a non-profit student-led organization that uses education, advocacy, and nonviolent direct action to advance the cause of Tibetan independence.
History
Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) was founded in 1994 by Tibetans, supporters, and students in New York City to use the influence of young people in order to press for human rights and independence in Tibet. Initially, SFT's activities were focused on raising awareness amongst fellow students on campuses and at events such as the 1994 Lollapalooza music tour. Students for a Free Tibet's profile and membership grew with the advent of the Tibetan Freedom Concerts, which served as the main way interested youths could get involved in the Tibetan independence movement.
As SFT's membership and profile grew, the organization took on a greater role in the International Tibet Independence Movement. SFT began coordinating with other Tibetan Independence Groups and other human rights and environmental organizations to wage campaigns against companies and other institutions which it claims support China's role in Tibet.
Currently, SFT is an international network of more than 650 chapters at universities, colleges, high schools, and communities in over 35 countries. SFT's International Headquarters remains in New York City. There are also a few satellite offices and organizing hubs; SFT Canada has an office in Vancouver, British Columbia and SFT India has an office in Dharamsala, India SFT now has a number of programs including a Free Tibet! Action Camp.
Programs
Students for a Free Tibet defines its core programs in two parts: Campaigns and Leadership Training.
SFT's campaigns focus on three areas: political, economic, and human rights. SFT's political campaigns are focused on generally advocating for Tibetan independence by pressuring both Chinese officials as well as SFT members' government representatives. SFT is well known for coordinating protests of Chinese dignitaries when they visit foreign countries. SFT's economic campaigns focus on attempting to prevent foreign corporations and other institutions from assisting China's governance of Tibet. These efforts have included boycotting Chinese-made goods as well as successfully pressuring the World Bank to cancel a loan for a controversial project involving moving Chinese settlers into a Tibetan area. SFT's human rights campaigns are focused on improving the situation of Tibetan citizens by advocating increased freedoms and rights and for the release of political prisoners and dissidents.
Students for a Free Tibet's "Leadership Training" is focused on developing representatives for the Tibetan independence movement. Part of this is the annual "Free Tibet! Action Camp" at which dozens of young people gather for a week-long activism training session. The Action Camp is based on a model developed by The Ruckus Society, an Oakland, California-based direct action training organization that earned notoriety for its involvement in the 1999 Seattle WTO Demonstrations. Students for a Free Tibet has been associated with the anti-globalization movement and it shares members with other liberal and human rights organizations and movements, including The Ruckus Society, Greenpeace, and Amnesty International.
External links
- Students for a Free Tibet homepage
- Students for a Free Tibet blog
- Students for a Free Tibet's Online Advocacy Center