Dear John,

Thank you for your incredible support of the Tibetan people over the past year.
Despite the many challenges faced across the world, through the dedication of
members like you, ICT pushed forward in our work of furthering His Holiness the
Dalai Lama’s vision of peace for Tibet.

And while 2020 was difficult for so many, I’m proud to say that our combined
advocacy for the people of Tibet did not wane in the slightest. Indeed, our
community of compassion came together for the Tibetan cause stronger than ever.

Among many notable achievements for Tibet this year, you helped accomplish the
following:

* The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020—the biggest piece of pro-Tibet
legislation in years—became US law , upgrading the United States’ support of
Tibet in a number of key areas.
Critically, it makes it official US policy that the Dalai Lama’s succession
should only be determined by Tibetan Buddhists, not the Chinese government.
* The State Department began restricting visas for the officials in China’s
government responsible for cutting off access to Tibet , as part of the
enforcement of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act.
Additionally, you helped raise the call to the European Union to implement
similar legislation on reciprocity by supporting the publication of “Access
Denied”, a critical truth-telling report on the restrictions on access to
Tibet.
* The first ever fully virtual Tibet Lobby Day was a huge success , with 11,284
petitions sent by over 4,000 online supporters to elected
officials urging them to support Tibet.
* After several ICT reports documenting the dangers of China’s river
manipulation in Tibet, Congress passed a law that will for the first time
require the State
Department to report on the impact of changing water flows and Chinese dams
on the Mekong (Tibetan: Dzachu) River and Tibetan plateau , signaling the
growing international concern for Tibet’s water security and
water access for more than 1 billion people downstream.
* You helped keep the Tibetan cause a priority in this year’s elections ,
with thousands of supporters urging both presidential candidates to
support pro-Tibet legislation through our Tibet 2020 campaign.
* On social media, you helped raise awareness of Tibet’s environmental crisis on Earth Day ,
spreading the word about China’s reckless industrialization, damming and
mining of Tibet using the hashtag #savethethirdpole.
* Due in part to our sustained advocacy, Secretary of State Pompeo appointed
Robert Destro as the Special Coordinator
for Tibetan Issues , filling an urgently needed position in the State Department
dedicated to
promoting dialogue between the Chinese government and the envoys of the Dalai
Lama. We fully intend to press the next Administration to follow suit with
their own appointment.

Thank you for making a difference for Tibet in 2020.


As you likely know, I’ve been appointed to a new position with the OSCE Office
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. So, while this is sadly the last
time I have the privilege of writing you as the President of ICT, I am happy to
say that this organization has a staff and a board that are talented and
committed to continue this essential work with your help.

Finally, let me say from the bottom of my heart that I couldn’t be more honored
and grateful to have spent these past seven years working for the Tibetan people
alongside compassionate and dedicated ICT members like you. I’m so proud of what
we’ve accomplished together—especially this year—and I hope you are too.

From all of us at ICT, I wish you a very happy new year.

In Solidarity Always,

Matteo Mecacci
President


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