Founded in 1983, Bay Area Friends of Tibet is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization located in the San Francisco Bay area. Mission Statement
Bay Area Friends of Tibet objectives are to study, promote, interest in, and actively preserve Tibetan culture in all its aspects; to educate the general public in matters pertaining to Tibet and the Tibetan people; and to provide assistance to Tibe
tans
BAFoT's work focuses on Human Rights and Justice, the Tibetan peoples right to Self-Determination, and Tibet's rich cultural heritage. For almost 30 years, BAFoT has played a leading part in organizing and participating in grassroots demonstrations, nonviolent protest actions, community outreach and education. A highlight event is the "Tibet Day" cultural fair held annually since 1984 to educate the public about the situation in Tibet and the Tibetan freedom struggle. There are also film and video presentations,lectures, and cultural performances by Tibetan artists. BA Friends of Tibet collaborates with other Tibet support groups such as the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) in order to organize activities on behalf of Tibet's struggle for Human Rights, Freedom, and Self-Determination. It a partner in the SF Team Tibet coalition and is proud to be a member of the International Tibet Network (ITN) which supports Tibetan issues globally. Advice From His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Chinese Out Reach, 2003:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama meet with a small group of Board members about the work of BAFoT. His guidance included telling us that one of the most important things we (Bay Friends of Tibet) could do was to help bring Chinese and Tibetan people together in dialogue in order to build trust and help bridge the gap of misunderstanding between them. His advice remains a goal to this day. HISTORY
Diane Hume,former Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) President once called BAFoT, "the mother redwood tree" in describing the off-shoots of Tibet Support Groups which have sprung up around the Bay Area as a result of work originally begun by BAFoT. Over the years, acting as a bridge between Tibetans and non-Tibetan people, BAFoT has helped over sixty-five Tibetans and their families resettled in Northern California
During the past 22 years BAFoT has been successful in encouraging other organizations whose leaders first worked with BAFoT--including the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), Tibet Justice Center, the Committee of 100, and others. Some of the original founders of BAFoT are now legendary in the Tibet movement, including Tenzing Sonam, son of Lhamo Tsering, Chief of Operations of the Mustang Resistance Force; Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag, former President of the Underrepresented Nations and People's Organization (UNPO); and many of the elected officers of TANC.
