TWA launches 'Women's Environment and Development Desk' (WEDD)
Tenzin Woebum is the new WEDD head.
Statement of Purpose The 60 years of Chinese occupation and policies, has adversely impacted Tibet's ecosystems and Tibetans' livelihoods. The climate change is exacerbating conditions for Tibetans and Tibet's ecosystems particularly Tibetan women and children. Amidst such critical scenario, it was imperative for Tibetan Women's Association to create a Women and Environment desk.
Conceiving WED The Environment desk was conceptualized whilst two representatives of TWA's attended the United Nations conference on Climate Change (UNCCC) COP-15, Copenhagen. TWA's President, and TWA's Research and Media Officer represented the Tibet Third Pole at the UNFCCC.
During the conference at Copenhagen, the TWA representatives were enamored by the extensive number of environmental NGO's and activists, and it became apparent to us that we, the Tibetan community in exile, have been lagging in the field of environmental research, advocacy, and actions. The Tibetan Women's Association believes that Tibetans should be at the forefront, particularly due to the critical role that Tibet's environment plays in Asia and the destructive policies developed by the Chinese that jeopardize Tibetans' livelihoods and Tibet's fragile ecosystem.
Furthermore, it is our understanding that women are, in most parts of the world, one of the most impacted groups on Earth because of the climate crisis. Gender and Climate Change is thus a strong interest for TWA as a women's NGO. We wish to network and collaborate with other Women's climate change groups in order to leverage the appeals of women affected by climate crisis, in addition to highlighting the challenges faced by Women living inside Tibet.
The Environment desk at TWA: Mission Statement The mission of the Environment Desk at TWA is to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change upon Tibet's unique ecosystem and upon the plight of Tibetan women The TWA environment desk is committed to disseminating timely and useful information that highlights to the international community the critical issue of climate change in Tibet and engaging in proactive measures and campaigns to combat the policies and the destructive impact that the policies hinges on the social lives of the Tibetan people. The environment desk believes that it is imperative to draw on the Chinese environmental policies that are denying the human rights of Tibetans living inside Tibet.
The creation of Environment desk at TWA has five primary tasks
1.To uphold TWA's organization mission to focus directly on Tibetan women's issues. The particular focuses will change according to the conditions of Tibetan women inside Tibet and the paradigm shift in Chinese government policies and development.
2.To be actively involved members of Global Women's Climate networks and alliances; TWA is in the networking list of Women's Climate NGOs like the Gender and CC, APWLD.
3.To act as active members of Tibet third Pole (T3P)
4.To outreach and provide education to those priority audiences: Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet; governments; NGOs; Chinese; etc.
5.WED will also need to focus on development issues as they relate to rural women and environment
Functions and Responsibilities
To undertake research-based studies on the impacts of climate change in Tibet upon Tibetan women.
To produce credible literature, reports and updates on climate change issues.
To use proactive measures; reports, campaigns to inform targeted audiences - Tibetans in Tibet and around the world, governments, NGOs, and the general public - about environmental issues in Tibet.
To make climate awareness merchandise; t3p t-shirts, bags and badges to be made by TWA's Stitches Of Tibet (SOT) women
To seek grants and funding that will allow TWA to attend climate related international meetings and conferences.
To engage actively in timely and targeted messaging and outreach related to the work of TWA's Women and Environment Desk.
To release pre and post event/meeting press releases, online messages and publicity.
To develop networks and alliances with other relevant climate change NGOs (especially women's organisations)
To raise the issue of 'Tibetan women and Climate Change' as an urgent international issue that requires greater attention and clear messaging and strategies and tactics for action.
To evaluate the challenges in literature and be wary of limitations to campaigns.
To be active member s of Tibet Third Pole (T3P) / TWA's rep for T3P