“In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.”
Our Tibet Story will enable six Tibetans living in Australia to share their stories of hope, courage and resistance.
We have all experienced the power of personal stories in getting to the heart of an issue and generating hope for the future. With help from a team of creative professionals and by harnessing the power of the internet,
Our Tibet Story will deepen our understanding of the issues facing Tibet today, and support more Tibetans towards becoming strong advocates for Tibet.
People like Lobsang Lungtok, a courageous former political prisoner, now a determined community leader and father living in Newcastle.
“As a 19-year-old monk, I wrote a poem expressing my feelings about China’s rule in Tibet. The Chinese government put me in prison for a year and a half. Even after my release I was under constant pressure and scrutiny. In the end I had no
option but to escape to Dharamsala in India – a difficult journey of many weeks on foot across the Himalayas. In Dharamsala I worked alongside other human rights defenders to help get the truth about Tibet to the world. Today I live in Newcastle, working as
a nursing assistant and dreaming of returning to a free Tibet.”
We believe that to understand the true situation inside Tibet, people must hear directly from
Tibetans: from those in Tibet and from their families in exile.
So here’s our plan:
1. We will document the stories in short, high impact videos, shot and edited by professional filmmakers
2. We will publish these stories on a special website and in a new booklet
3. We will organise live storytelling events by Tibetans in major Australian cities
4. We will introduce a new Tibetan Speakers Program. NGOs, schools, universities, workplaces and festivals will be able to invite one of our Tibetan speakers to share their story
5. We will use both social media and ‘old media’ (radio, TV, newspapers) to take the Tibetan stories to new audiences
Tibet is home to an ancient culture under threat, with Tibetans discriminated against
and marginalised in their own country. Their natural resources are exploited by outsiders and their rights taken away by force and intimidation.
But Tibetans are a courageous, resilient people. For over 60 years, Tibetans have shown the world that they believe the way to resolve conflict is through compassion and non-violent resistance. Sadly we are increasingly living in a world where
only violence grabs the headlines and moves leaders to action.
We can turn the tide by embracing the positive stories of nonviolent resistance.
Storytelling empowers Tibetans to take ownership of the narratives about their history and culture and their vision of a future Tibet. To tell their own stories in their own words.
Australia has a small yet strong community of over 1,000 Tibetans, many of whom are former
political prisoners and have first-hand experience of living under China’s oppressive rule in Tibet.
Help us share the Tibet story of courage, compassion, resistance and resilience.
These stories will help renew hope among Tibetans and supporters. And they will help people in Australia and beyond understand what’s really happening in Tibet, inspiring them to join our movement for change.
“As Tibetans, we know there are many people telling you their version of our story: the Chinese government, for whom inconvenient truths must be erased and histories rewritten. Lobbyists who have never set foot in our country. Journalists who
can only travel to Tibet as part of the Chinese government controlled tours. State-funded academics tasked with spreading the official narrative. To understand Tibet, you must hear directly from the Tibetans.
“Our storytelling project follows our Tibet Advocacy Day in Canberra in March, when Australia’s Tibetan community members shared their personal stories with politicians and called for stronger political action on Tibet. We want to build on
this success and take these stories to the broader community in Australia and worldwide.”
- Kyinzom Dhongdue, Tibetan campaigner at Australia Tibet Council