Following the successful launch of the concept back in July 2009 and formal launch in Paris in August 2009, GTF has been working towards building a strong, structured, well participated internationally co-coordinated group with identified avenues to fulfil the three main objectives of the organisation:

 

• To help free interned Tamils and men and women held without proper legal representation

• To help prosecute war criminals and persons who committed crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka

• To lobby international governments, non-governmental organisations and institutions to help to resolve the conflict in Sri Lanka on the basis of legitimate democratic mandate given by the Tamil people in Sri Lanka

As part of the first objective, GTF has initiated a program to sponsor 1,000 orphaned disabled Tamil children and 450 destitute families by the recent war in the Vanni. At present 235 children and 90 families are already being funded.

As part of the second objective, GTF is in the process of collecting evidence and seeking advice on formal process and avenues to prove war crimes and crimes against humanity.

As part of the third objective GTF, through the various country organisations, are actively engaging with senior politicians, civil servants and members of non-governmental organisations and institutions in bringing wider awareness of the injustices done to the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

GTF inauguration conference will be a historic event to show willingness and commitment of the Tamil Diaspora to take a democratic path and engage with the international community in finding a solution to address the genuine grievances of the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka.

Despite the global voices raised by the Tamil Diaspora, as our kith and kin endured unimaginable suffering and atrocities during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka, we could not avert the mass slaughter that prevailed. However, we have learned valuable lessons from this unbearable loss faced by our community. We have much to do to inform decision makers in our host countries. We can only achieve our objectives by creating a powerful unified voice to get policy makers and the media to listen to our just calls to bring an immediate end to the suffering of our brethren in Sri Lanka.

The attendance and participation of national and international, political and non-political delegates in the inauguration event is a key milestone for GTF being recognised as a coordinated Diaspora body and a welcomed expression of willingness to coordinate efforts going forward to achieving the people’s objectives.

 The event will also include the inauguration of Global Tamil Women Forum (GTWF) which has been formed with the vision to unite, represent and empower Tamil women in the island of Sri Lanka and Diaspora host countries. Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) Women's Advocacy Group has made strides in raising critical issues faced by Tamil women and children with key politicians and non-government organisations in Australia. The women’s lobby group has worked collaboratively with a number of other organisations in Australia. It is intended to expand this network through GTWF to unite the efforts of Tamil Women activists globally.

 GTF’s inauguration event will also be used to convey future project plans. There will be more focus on pushing forward USA and Canada’s boycott campaigns to create global synergy and also on bringing charges against perpetrators of war crimes and other crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka.

GTF strengthens unity through it’s concept that membership to the GTF board is only through a single representative country organisation, hence encouraging individuals and organisations to unite under one umbrella within their country. At present the following country organisations are signed up to GTF:

 

Country	Country Organisation
United Kingdom	British Tamils Forum
France	La Maison du Tamil Eelam (France Tamil Eela Makkal Peravai)
United States	United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC)
Sweden	Swedish Tamil Forum (STF)
Malaysia	Tamil Relief Fund / Malaysia Tamil Forum (MTF)
Canada	Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC)
Norway	Norwegian Council of Eelam Tamil (NCET)
Denmark	Danish Federation of Tamil Associations
New Zealand	New Zealand Tamil Society
Australia	Australian Tamil Congress (ATC)
Holland	Tamil Kunst en Cultuur Vereniging
Mauritius	Mauritius Tamils
Switzerland	Swiss Tamil Forum
Italy	Giovani Tamil (TYO - Italy)
Germany	Country organisation is being formed

 

GTF envisages being a truly representative body of the Tamil Diaspora to unite and address the immediate needs of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and working towards a permanent solution for the oppressed Tamil people of Sri Lanka.

There will also be a fundraising social event on Friday 26th February 2010 from 7.00pm till 2.00am at the Grand Suite, Britannia International Hotel, London Docklands, 163 Marsh Wall, E14 9SJ. This annual event aims to give participants, delegates and dignitaries the opportunity to engage in a less formal setting and proceeds from the event will support the GTF sponsor program. Ticket cost is £75 per person and your contribution will be very much appreciated.

 Please visit www.globaltamilforum.org to find more information about GTF and to participate in this global initiative. You may contact British Tamils Forum for further details regarding the launch event and fundraising dinner in London.