About

What is the Himalayan Consensus?

The Himalayan Consensus is a new paradigm for sustainable economic development that seeks practical community-based solutions, draws upon values indigenous to the Himalayan region, and emphasizes ethnic identity and economic empowerment. We support an alternative to outdated theories, such as Adam Smith’s idea that an “invisible hand” would self-regulate the market, because today we have become all too familiar with stimulus programs and the effects of globalization. Citizens, businesses, and governments alike are coming to the realization that our current lifestyle is not sustainable - even our planet is seriously threatened. By prioritizing environmental protection and diversity through culturally sustainable development programs or businesses — not just aid — we can address poverty and income inequality.

The Himalayan Consensus draws upon Asian values of compassion, alms giving, community cohesion and networking, while advocating grassroots programs acceptable to indigenous communities to address these issues. Our efforts are inspired by Nobel Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus and Bhutan’s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in their work promoting community growth that yields much more than just material gain, including the Grameen Bank and the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), respectively.

The Himalayan Consensus obtains its name from the Himalayan chain where rich philosophies of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism come together, not only in the mountains of the Himalayas, but also the rivers of the Himalayas which include the Mekong source and the Irrawaddy source. These philosophies provide a value outlook that reaches much farther than the Himalayas, and thus help constitute the three pillars of the Himalayan Consensus:

1. Throw out the theory. Real problems call for practical solutions. Take a look at the Asian financial crisis of 1997: the IMF prescribed things which actually made the Indonesian economy much worse and created social instability. So the first pillar of the Himalayan Consensus is you cannot apply isolated classroom theories to the realities of a developing country.
2. Compassionate Capitalism is a driving value. Quantity of growth does not necessarily mean quality of growth, and materialism is not the only basis upon which people are driven. The Washington Consensus is based on Adam Smith’s theory of the invisible hand being driven by greed. But not every single person is motivated by greed alone. They are motivated by many factors, and these factors include compassion.
3. Every country should have the right to develop its own political system. Indigenous models of participatory government should be created based on the foundations of each country’s local cultural, tribal, historic, political and economic models, as appropriate. Forcing a particular model of government on nations that have no relevant historical, social or cultural commonality with the country will only lead to ineffective government, political instability and social-humanitarian disasters.

The Genesis of Himalayan Consensus

This clip captures the early journeys of Himalayan Consensus founder, Laurence Brahm, traveling the Himalayan Region in early 2002. Here, Brahm was inspired by all types of community members, from monks to artists to world leaders, whose visions to support the sustainability of their culture, economy, and environment took form of pragmatic grassroots initiatives. These inspirations in turn inspired Brahm to put the Himalayan Consensus into action, starting his own Shambhala Social Enterprise in 2005.

How does the Himalayan Consensus work?

In a short answer, the Himalayan Consensus works with positive intent and community participation.In order to achieve ethnic preservation, a culturally sustainable program based on economic foundations must be setup to serve the local community. Community participation is key to preserving cultural identity in a way that economically benefits its members.

The Himalayan Consensus comes to life with Consensus Communities, which are built around a sustainable business (most often, a heritage or eco-tourism lodge built as part of architectural restoration in a given region) that thereby becomes the money engine for outer components including: cultural heritage projects that revive local traditions and customs; educational programs for both youth and disenfranchised members of the community; and healthcare initiatives that address the medical needs of the underprivileged.

Consensus Communities do not necessarily develop in a straight line, starting with a lodge and ending with a microequity program. They can be adapted to culturally sustainable programs that are already in place. In a truly bottom-up approach, the Himalayan Consensus Community essentially builds itself. Launch Interactive Map to track existing Consensus Communities in the Himalayan region.

Shambhala Social Enterprise

In 2005, Laurence Brahm started Shambhala Social Enterprise to help carry out his mission of “Action for Ethnic Diversity and Culturally Sustainable Development,” a goal that is fulfilled by implementing the Himalayan Consensus values.

Shambhala is named after the Tibetan concept of an equitable, peaceful realm where environmental and ethnic diversity is respected and upheld.

With these values in mind, Shambhala is able to restore local identity among indigenous people while building confidence through provision of skills with an economic foundation. Programs focus on empowering marginalized individuals by integrating employment, skill training, cultural identity revival, and communal responsibility through participation in a social enterprise.

Shambhala also extends its aid to communities in the form of health-oriented action initiatives which integrate local beliefs with modern medical assistance. Shambhala's efforts and the generous support of other groups, including SEVA (link), and individuals have resulted in clinics, eye camps, and other medical facilities. These provide competent, quality health care for the locals in need of medical attention.

To date, there are four Consensus Communities in China with the intention of expanding to other ethnic groups and regions. Current Consensus Communities include:

• Lhasa, TAR, China
• Huairou District, Beijing, China
• Yushu, Qinghai, China
• Terdrom, TAR, China