Letter from the Founder

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Himalayan Consensus!

Himalayan Consensus is a new economic paradigm that calls for ethnic diversity, cultural sustainable development and the protection of our environment. It heralds an era of compassionate capitalism, where people are more than statistics, and we throw out the common economic assumption that people are only driven by greed.

Himalayan Consensus has three principles: 1) discard economic theory if it does not work and instead address actual needs of people; 2) draw upon values of compassion, care for others, and respect our natural environment; 3) let each people, ethnic group and nation seek their own right of determination and system of governance that responds to the needs of their own people.

Join me, our team, and other global citizens in embracing a new paradigm to better address the needs of our world. Positive intention and a little effort can go a long way. I learned this throughout my journeys across the Himalayan region, inspired by the diverse ethnicity of the people there whose lives are integrated with the natural environment. This website is not only an account of our work, but more importantly, a way for millions of people to get involved, not just in the Himalayas, but in your hometown.

I invite you to understand the Himalayan Consensus concepts and participate in the movement. In the Himalayas, people believe that we are all connected. It is time for us to connect.

Your thoughts and action are needed now!

Laurence Brahm
Lhasa, September 2009