Vote for the future of SFT UK today!

Voting for the SFT UK Board Elections is now open from 26 May - 15th June.

You are eligible to vote in this election if you are a member of a university Tibet society that is part of the SFT UK network or if you are an active Tibet activist known by a member of the SFT UK board.

There are three elected places up for grabs on the UK board this year. To cast your vote, first read the candidate interviews below and decide who you would like to join the national board to represent the network. You can vote for up to three candidates, vote for more and your votes will be invalid. All your votes carry the same weight and you cannot vote for the same candidate more than once.

To register your vote please send an email with your name, the name of the Tibet group or society you below to (if applicable), and your votes for up to three candidates to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

First Name: Chris
Age: 20
Student/Non Student: Student
City: Leicester
Current employment/study: History student at the University of Leicester

1. Past and present SFT/Tibet involvement
I founded the first SFT UK University group at the University of Leicester which has been instrumental in spreading information about the Tibetan cause not only through the university but through the whole of the Leicester area. I have also engaged in discussions with neighbouring universities in order to provide stronger student support for a Free Tibet. Through radio interviews with the BBC, street stalls, letter writing and fundraising I have raised the Tibetan issue considerably in the Leicester area and now wish to use my skills to bring the Tibetan cause to a wider audience.

2. Campaign experience
Although most of this year has been spent on general awareness raising through the use of stalls our university group has also focused our efforts considerably on the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. As the Current Affairs Editor of the student newspaper I was able to raise the profile of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche significantly and our group is now discussing how we can raise the issue further through use of ‘FaceJamming’. I have also been working hard to have some constructive debate with the University of Leicester Chinese Society.

3. What would you like to improve while on the UK board
It is clear that there needs to be a greater effort to reach out to a larger number of students in order to raise the issue of Tibet. On the surface it may seem that most students suffer from apathy but the real problem is simply a lack of knowledge about the subject. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will no doubt help raise the attention of SFT UK and if I was to be a part of the SFT UK board I would endeavour to contact every university in the UK and build stronger links between each university group in order to strengthen the support students can give for a Free Tibet.

4. What specific skills can you bring to the board
Having worked as a Student Events Manager for ActionAid at the University of Leicester I know how to fundraise effectively and in a really fun way whilst at the same time raising the issue of Tibet considerably. I believe that my enthusiasm and organisational skills will be a great addition to the SFT UK Board and I really look forward to advancing and strengthening the SFT UK network amongst all universities.

5. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for SFT UK in the next year
The media spotlight on Tibet will no doubt fade after the Beijing Olympics. The biggest challenge for SFT UK will be to keep the issue of Tibet alive and in the consciousness of young people. This can be done through effective fundraising and through new, exciting and creative ways to raise awareness about SFT UK and the Free Tibet issue as a whole. There will no doubt be challenges but I will be excited to tackle each and every one of them.

6. What is your favourite type of soup and why?
This is, by far, the hardest question to answer but it has to be chunky vegetable soup. I must point out, however, that I do not eat soup without bread. That’s just madness.

First Name: James
Age: 20
Student/Non Student: Student
City: Durham and Oxford
Current employment/study: Student of Durham University-Archaeology and Theology

1.Past and present SFT/Tibet involvement
I got involved with the Tibetan movement about 4 years ago after my tutor taught me about his 6 years in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside of Dehra Dun. His enthusiasm led me to take a teaching job in a monastery in Dharamsala during my gap year. I learnt firsthand the plight of the Tibetan people, each story differing but equally heartbreaking. On my return I told my friends and family, I also did talks at schools and news articles. I am now in the process of setting up a SFT chapter in Durham University, which is constantly gaining support.

2. Campaign experience
I am the president of the Durham University SFT and recently have we have been working on increasing awareness with in this community . This has included numerous leaflet hand outs and one to one talks in which i have had to not only know the answer to the point and correctly but I have also had to keep ,my team up to date as well. This has led me to creating a ‘Free Tibet Times’ which is a weekly news letter that I email to people who have shown an interest. 

3. What would you like to improve while on the UK board
I would like to bring these weekely emails to a national correspondence. Emailing is fast, simple and free way in which to keep people up to date with not only information of the Tibetan movement for the week but also forthcoming events, help that is needed by SFT UK and news surrounding SFT UK itself, However I would ensure its short and easy to read as most students simply glance at their emails.

4. What specific skills can you bring to the board
I can bring a wealth of experience dealing with difficult situations; I was a councillor at school and have spent time in Romania working in a special needs orphanage, so i am not afraid of dealing with the hard part of the job. I have strong links with different communities both in India and the UK. Having worked in Kirti Monastery I have links with both monks and Tibetan peoples who I have established possible talks in the winter term by a monk, who spent 3 years in jail in China. I also have links with Newcastle and Oxford University. 

5. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for SFT UK in the next year
The biggest challenge is to decide how to act before and during the Olympic games. How we act will contribute to the Uk’s awareness especially at such a key opportunity. We need to ensure a good press for the Tibetan cause whilst keeping  a high pressure on the Chinese authorites and British MPs. With all the publicity that has gone on this year it is important to act while it is still etched in the MPs ever changing minds, so that the lives of the Tibetans killed in the March riots do not unheard and unavenged. 

6. What is your favourite type of soup and why?
Then-thuk and Mushroom, a great combo that my housemates love.

First Name: Jamie
Age: 18
Student/Non Student: Student
City: Currently Eastbourne, Will be going to Canterbury in September
Current employment/study: Psychology, Sociology and Politics. Will be studying Applied psychology with clinical psychology in September

1. Past and present SFT/Tibet involvement
I have been a keen human rights campaigner since before I can remember. My conversion to Buddhism sparked my interest in Free Tibet issue, and I have campaigned for a free Tibet ever since. The best moment of campaigning with the Free Tibet movement was being at the Cultural event when the Tibet Freedom torch was lit; also the day of the Olympic torch protests. A more recent example of my involvement, was when my local council voted to condemn the actions of the Chinese government, and to call on the British government to boycott the opening ceremony.   

2. Campaign experience
In 2006 I started a pressure group addressing the human rights abuses in the form of sweatshops. The group started with street demonstrations and letters the local newspapers. In July of 2007 I coordinated an event called Breaking Sweat which was held at a local theatre. The event was a fusion of music, dance and drama with speeches made by myself and other campaigner and politicians. The event was a great success and received very positive media attention. As chair of the group, I undertook most of the main organisational work and coordinated the logistics on the day. 

3. Give an example of what you would like to improve while on the UK board
I feel that the group needs to establish distinct regional satellite groups which are coordinated under the main central group. Free Tibet groups need to be strengthened and in some cases created in universities, colleges, churches and temples and more. Smaller, grassroots events should be encouraged to engage more potential members and give existing members more control over their own campaigns.   

4. What specific skills can you bring to the board
Through my membership of the UK youth parliament, the local youth cabinet, my role as President of my college’s Student Union, and my experience in the Anti-Sweatshop Movement that I helped to start, I feel I have developed strong leadership and organisation skills. I am realistic in my approach, but unafraid to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. I work well in a group, and keep myself and others around me motivated. My study of politics, and involvement in the towns political system has given me the knowledge of how to create and maintain relationships with those with power and influence. 

5. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for SFT UK in the next year
With any big surge of interest, there is a real fear that attention will lessen as time goes on. The Free Tibet movement has enjoyed increased public awareness as a result of the Beijing Olympics and that attention has been appropriately managed. My concern however, is how SFT will keep the pubic engaged after the Olympics, and this discussion needs to be taken soon.       

6. What is your favourite type of soup and why?
Tomato and Basil soup always reminds me of hanging out in Sainsbury café with good friends during our college brakes.   

First Name: Liam
Age: 19
Student/Non Student: Student
City: London (2008/2009), Hull (2009/2010)
Current employment/study: British Politics and Legislative Studies (2008/2009 on internship in House of Commons)

1. Past and present SFT/Tibet involvement
I first was first introduced to the plight of the Tibetan people several years ago by some fellow activists in the Burmese democracy movement and I began taking part in protests and letter writing campaigns for Tibet.  When I founded Human Rights Action at Hull University in September 2007 I began involving other students in Tibet activism.  The group became affiliated to SFT and Free Tibet Campaign and throughout the year we held several stands, film screenings and fundraisers for Tibet as well as attending numerous Free Tibet protests in Manchester and London.

2. Campaign experience
In May 2008 Human Rights Action hosted a fundraising night entitled Chance for Change: Free Tibet and Burma.  The aim of the night was to educate students about the situation in the two countries and to raise funds for Free Tibet Campaign and Burma Campaign UK.  The event was held in a local club and included comedians, bands, a DJ and various other entertainment as well as talks about Burma and Tibet.  I was responsible for the running of the night and presenting a talk on the human rights abuses in the countries.

3. Give an example of what you would like to improve while on the UK board
I would aim to strengthen the communication between SFT groups across the country allowing them to share ideas, support each other and link up to work on campaigns with other groups in their region.  This is already starting to happen and I feel that continuing to improve these links would allow SFT to hold many more visible and successful actions nationwide.  I feel that we should look into the practicalities of an interactive internet forum and regular regional meetings to facilitate this.

4. What specific skills can you bring to the board
I am an organised person and able to coordinate large groups of people as I have throughout my time as president of Human Rights Action.  I am also dedicated and will follow through on any commitments and meet deadlines even if it means working under pressure and responding to events at short notice.  I am computer literate which I feel will defiantly be of benefit in reaching and engaging supporters.  Above all I am able to make constructive contributions to discussions while keeping an open mind to other people’s views.   

5. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for SFT UK in the next year
The biggest challenge will almost undoubtedly be keeping people involved and engaged with activism for Tibet after the Olympics have finished.  We are currently experiencing a massive media focus on Tibet which will continue up to August but after this time we may well see a significant decrease in media focus and public interest.  Although this will be a difficult challenge, dedicated work by SFT can certainly continue to engage people in the issue and I would love to be a part of this.

6. What is your favourite type of soup and why?
My favourite type of soup is tomato; it is always available, good value and tastes nice!  Simple and effective.

First Name: Terry
Age: 32
Student/Non Student: Student
City: London
Current employment/study: P/T Tibet Society, Dip. Counselling

1. Past and present SFT/Tibet involvement
Having volunteered at Free Tibet Campaign for over three years I have gained broad experience in the workings of a campaigning NGO, ranging from fundraising and merchandising to campaigns strategy and action. During this time I have liaised closely with SFT and other Tibet support groups. I had the honour of co-ordinating the Uprising March in London in 2007 and 2008 and have frequently negotiated with police and council officials to facilitate protests and vigils. I was one of the hunger strikers opposite the Chinese Embassy this March and currently am working part-time with Tibet Society.

2. Campaign experience
In 2008 I was employed by a coalition of Tibet support groups as a co-ordinator of the protests surrounding the Olympic Torch Relay in London on April 6th. I worked with Camden Council to facilitate the rally at Argyle Square and liaised with Scotland Yard to secure the permission and space for supporters to protest on Whitehall. I acted as a point of contact for supporters across Europe and conducted press interviews with radio, television and print media. I advised and informed supporters who wished to protest independently and helped with the supply of banners, placards and flags.

3. Give an example of what you would like to improve while on the UK board
If elected I would like to work with my colleagues to explore avenues of bringing in new funding to increase our sustainability. I’d like to seek to expand the reach of SFT UK by working with contacts whose expertise could benefit campaigns and fundraising projects. I would like to research cost-effective means of expanding the provision of campaigning and informational products to SFT UK chapters and seek to encourage the initiation of more chapters across UK universities and colleges.

4. What specific skills can you bring to the board
I have experience in organising marches, protests and vigils and have a positive working relationship with the police. I’ve proved to be a calm and effective presence in volatile protest situations, making me effective at pacification and in the role of police liaison. I have worked on successful fundraising events and managed merchandising. I have design skills and have previously produced copy and artwork for campaigns and fundraising materials. I have also produced t-shirt designs. I have very good working relationships and contacts amongst the Tibetan community, UK Tibet support groups and other campaigning organisations.

5. What do you think will be the biggest challenge for SFT UK in the next year
In my opinion the biggest challenge will be to build upon the momentum and support generated by recent events in Tibet and the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The onus is upon campaigning groups such as SFT UK to keep Tibet and the struggle of the Tibetan people in the consciousness of as many people as possible. We must engage the mind and the heart by conveying the truth of the ongoing suffering of the Tibetan people long after the Olympics is a fading memory. 2008 provides a genuine platform from which we can take the campaign forward.

6. What is your favourite type of soup and why?
Chunky veggie soup! It’s tasty, nutritious and with amazing curative powers when struck down with the flu! Extra mushrooms for me please kind Sir!

To register your vote please send an email with your name, the name of the Tibet group or society you below to (if applicable), and your votes for up to three candidates to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .