Himalayan Consensus is a fresh economic development paradigm built upon the three principles of:
- protecting ethnic diversity and indigenous identity
- through sustainable economic programs or socially-responsible businesses
- which prioritize environmental protection and community development
Himalayan Consensus is not established on any one model or economic theory. Rather it is drawn from collective experiences across the Himalayan region (such as Bhutan's concept of Gross National Happiness to Bangladesh's micro-finance) where local knowledge has proved successful in creating pragmatic solutions to development challenges.
It is flexible in its approach, basing solutions on local conditions, and in this respect entirely applicable in other regions of the world facing challenges of poverty alleviation, ethnic minority marginalization, and environmental desecration.
Three Core Principles of Himalayan Consensus
- Preserving ethnic diversity and indigenous identity, culture, traditions and heritage
- through building self-sustainable economic platforms and business programs based on local realities to alleviate poverty through self-empowering skill transfer
- which in turn are socially responsible and seek to improve basic human needs such as education and medical care, while prioritizing environmental protection
The Himalayan Consensus Institute
The Himalayan Consensus Institute is a non-profitable organization registered under the laws of Hong Kong. It serves to coordinate a network of organizations (NGOs, social entrepreneurs, and individual activists) exchanging developmental experiences and promoting Himalayan Consensus principles of cultural sustainable development. The Institute promotes regional cooperation between stakeholders and engages in second track diplomacy efforts addressing ethnic, development and environmental issues.
Himalayan Consensus Communities
Any ongoing project can be recognized as a Himalayan Consensus Community that has the following elements:
- protecting ethnic diversity and indigenous identity
- through an ongoing sustainable business or economic program
- which in turn supports community development and environmental protection
Himalayan Consensus Communities can range from small village workshops or farming associations to larger artisan production lines and geo-tourism lodges. They may include medical and education outreach. The size and scale of each program is not as important as the spirit and intention behind it, in upholding Himalayan Consensus principles. Recognized Himalayan Consensus Communities can enjoy use of the network and multi-media platform (www.himalayanconsensus.org) established by the Himalayan Consensus Institute for raising global awareness of their work.
Himalayan Consensus Certified
Himalayan Consensus Certified is a recognition awarded to individuals, associations, organizations or socially responsible businesses recognized by the Himalayan Consensus Institute as adhering and supporting the principles of Himalayan Consensus. A certificate acknowledging that the program supports ethnic diversity and cultural sustainable development is awarded. This certificate may be used to promote the work, services or products of the awarded organization or program.
Shambhala Serai
Shambhala Serai is an integrated program of geo-tourism heritage hotels in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. It was established under the Shambhala Arts and Culture Development Corporation Limited, by activist Laurence Brahm, the founder of Himalayan Consensus Institute. Shambhala Serai came to serve as the first prototype Himalayan Consensus Community. Today its programs are included among the many Himalayan Consensus Communities that have been established across the region. Shambhala Serai is a geo-tourism platform that empowers Tibetan artisans and crafts persons (most of whom are disabled), while undertaking heritage restoration, environmental conservation, rural medical and educational outreach programs.
The Global Consensus Vision
The Himalayan Consensus economic development paradigm is applicable in other underdeveloped countries (and in growing pockets of underdevelopment within developed countries). The Himalayan Consensus Institute pursues a program of cross networking in other regions outside the Himalayas. The intention is to establish network organizations (such as Kilimanjaro Consensus for Africa and Andes Consensus covering South America) in other regions. This will culminate in the establishment of The Global Consensus scheduled for the end of 2011. The Global Consensus will be an advocacy movement calling for new frameworks to address both climate change talks and global financial system re-engineering.