Tibet’s profoundly spiritual culture has much to offer the world. Under the compassionate leadership of HH the Dalai Lama, their non violent practice has become a model for global peace, but while the western world has embraced many fashionable aspects of Tibetan culture and prayer flags have become commonplace as a Feng Shui accoutrement, Tibet, still struggles for survival under an oppressive and destructive foreign regime.

In 1950, the Chinese People's Liberation Army invaded Tibet, defeating Tibet's small and unprepared armed forces. Since 1959, under complete Chinese dominance, Tibetans have endured brutal practices that are inexorably leading to the destruction and degradation of their environment, unique culture and population.

Hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have been killed or have died as a result of famine induced by poor governance. Fear of arrest, imprisonment and torture are still a fact of daily life for most Tibetans. Tibetans are now a minority in their own country and are treated as second class citizens. They are still not permitted to freely engage in Buddhist practices. Educational opportunities are limited and expensive, and only available in the Chinese language.  Tibetan culture and society is rapidly being eroded under the influence of the overriding Chinese occupation.

As the world economy crumbles and China is becoming stronger and more powerful, it has never been so important for Tibet to gain autonomy, as this will have an impact on the rest of the world. If we can't as a global community get Tibet some basic freedom, do we have a chance of ever obtaining world peace? I ask this question to those of you who think that the Tibet issue is not your issue, as the world is rapidly changing we all have the power to affect positive change in this world, so make a difference, fight the peaceful fight for freedom of mankind.

The Tibetans have been standing up for 50 years not just for their own cause but out of a universal responsibility for humankind. You can make a difference.