The International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) is a global coalition of Tibet-related non-governmental organisations. Its purpose is to maximise the effectiveness of the worldwide Tibet movement, which is dedicated to ending human rights violations in Tibet and to working actively to restore the Tibetan people's right under international law to determine their own political, economic, social, religious, and cultural status.

ITSN pursues its goals by working to increase the capacity of individual member organisations, by developing coordinated strategic campaigns, and by encouraging increased cooperation among organisations, thereby strengthening the Tibet movement as a whole.

ITSN's day to day functioning is managed by a small Secretariat whose work is overseen by an elected Steering Committee. The Steering Committee members represent all the regions of the world where there are Tibet Groups. The Steering Committee is responsible for setting policy, and for ensuring ITSN fulfils its financial and legal commitments.

Developing Campaigns

ITSN develops coordinated campaign strategies through its Campaign Working Groups (CWGs). CWGs are composed of representatives of Tibet Groups that have an interest in a particular issue, who voluntarily come together to design strategic campaigns for implementation by Member organizations and other Tibet Groups. Membership of the CWGs numbers between 12 and 20 people, with a broad geographical spread. ITSN staff work closely with all CWGs, offering advice and support (including administrative) to the Chairs and helping keep progress on track, but the CWGs choose their own leadership structures and decision-making processes.

At this time there are three Campaign Working Groups; Olympics, Human Rights and Economic Rights.

Coordination

The ITSN Secretariat coordinates its work with the membership by communicating with ITSN Members by email several times a week. Members also have access to a secure worksite.

ITSN appointed two Regional Coordinators in late 2006, in South Asia and Latin America, whose purpose is to build the regional network, assist groups in finding appropriate regional strategies for implementing global campaigns, provide support and advice, especially to emerging groups, and to arrange training. See Secretariat for biographical details.

ITSN aims to bring the membership together regionally every 18 months and internationally every three years, in order to network, skill-share and engage in detailed strategic planning.

Capacity Building

ITSN’s objective is to increase the financial security and resources of ITSN Members, and to increase the skill-base of Tibet campaigners, and therefore the effectiveness of the movement by providing training, and a small grant scheme for members to undertake capacity building projects.

Status of ITSN

ITSN is incorporated in the United States of America, where it holds non-profit 501(c)(3) status. Individual members of the Steering Committee form the Board of ITSN, and meet annually to fulfil their responsibilities.

Funding

An important part of the core funding of the network’s activities comes from the annual membership fee paid by members of the International Tibet Support Network.

For the period 2005 to 2008 inclusive, ITSN has secured a grant from the Isdell Foundation towards the core work of the network. For the year July 2007 to June 2008, ITSN has secured a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy.