Santa Barbara, California, January 13 – More than fifty youth activists from all over North America have gathered at the University of California in Santa Barbara to attend the annual Winter Leadership Training organized by Students for a Free Tibet. The students, twenty-three of whom are Tibetan, will participate in an intensive four-day conference where they will receive training in basic and advanced activist skills in areas including nonviolent direct action, media advocacy, grassroots organizing, and political theater, etc.
“We have with us many young Tibetans who have the responsibility, the privilege, and the desire to work for the freedom of their country. We also have many young people of conscience who are joining hands with the Tibetan people to champion the cause of Tibetan freedom,” said Tenzin Dorjee, International Grassroots Coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet. “SFT’s leadership training equips these people with the skills necessary to translate their passion and dedication into strategic and effective nonviolent action.”
Volunteer trainers and presenters at the conference include Pulitzer-nominated author Mikel Dunham, filmmaker Pema Dhondup, and experienced trainers from the Ruckus Society. The participants of this conference have come from places including Vancouver, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Alabama, and more.
