Interns

Natalie Hall
Current Intern
Chinese and Anthropology, SOAS, London

I am currently in my third year of four studying Chinese and Anthropology at School of Oriental and African studies, London. This year I have been focusing on China as an ethnographic region as well as migration and Diaspora studies. What I have learnt has led me to understand that East Asia as a whole and particularly China is in a state of enduring and turbulent transformation; with agonizing urban density, rapid economic expansion, extravagant exploitation of natural and human resources and destabilisation of social, cultural and political conditions and experience as an inevitable result of this.

I was eager to learn more about how to decrease inequalities not just in Asia but all over the world, promote socially responsible consumption and preserve cultural heritage. This search for solutions and the certainty that there must be an alternative to the current homogenising development schemes is what brought me to the Himalayan Consensus.

My work here thus far has involved working on the website, researching and contacting possible consensus communities and new members of the board of advisors. In addition to this I have also been researching the economic effects of the glacial melt on the Pearl River basin. This internship has given me great insight into how socially responsible and environmentally conscious businesses works as well as a deeper understanding of some of the communities that I had touched on at university. The knowledge I have gained about major environmental concerns and neglected communities has confirmed to me that change needs to happen. This alternative model of development can to some degree put right the mistakes that we have made through greed, short-sightedness and irresponsible consumption of natural resources. I hope to be involved with The Himalayan Consensus in the future once I have completed my studies and contribute to making this change.

 

Daniel Greeves
Current Intern
Politics and International Studies 2008, The University of Warwick

Having studied International Studies, focusing particularly on theories of International Political Economy, whilst also being a teaching director for Oxbridge Cultural Exchange Program (OCEP),I immediately found the Himalayan Consensus intriguing. At university I was able to appreciate the theories that affect the global economy and development and with the Himalayan Consensus I am able to combine the theory with the practical work people do "on the ground". As such I am able to continue these academic interests, further my knowledge and hone my own ideas.

My work with the Himalayan Consensus to date has been very varied. I have been involved in research (The issues facing the international community Post-Copenhagen and Corporate Social Responsibility), researching applicable consensus communities, contacting them, interviewing the relevant people and writing articles or features on them. Furthermore, as part of the Himalayan Consensus team, in the Beijing office, I have also contributed to daily administrative tasks. The work has been very enlightening and it seems like every day I find out about new exemplary sustainable development projects and socially responsible businesses. The stress on preserving and promoting local cultural customs at Himalayan Consensus has also brought me into contact with cultures that are under-appreciated and this makes the work very fulfilling and insightful. I thus hope to intern with Himalayan Consensus for the indefinite future, learn more about development in the region and continue to research and publish articles on laudable projects.

 

Sam Trachtman
Current Intern
Economics and International Relations 2012, Pomona College

My tasks at Himalayan Consensus are twofold. First, I am working as an English teacher at Shambhala at the Great Wall. I live at Shambhala for half the week, where I teach daily lessons to the Tibetan staff members. Learning English will provide these young men and women with greater opportunities in hospitality and tourism in the future. Living at Shambhala has also given me the unique chance to experience Tibetan culture not as a tourist, but as a co-worker and friend.

Second, I work in Beijing on the various projects currently being undertaken by Himalayan Consensus. As an Economics major with a particular interest in the rapidly developing field of Environmental Economics, I hope to add to the work being done by Laurence and by Himalayan Consensus in the areas of climate change and environmental advocacy, literature, and legislation. In addition, I have been doing research on the recent developments in micro-credit in order to inform the micro-credit projects that Himalayan Consensus has is involved with.

 

Adrian LeCesne
Intern 2010
Anthropology 2009, Yale University
Mandarin 2010, Renmin University

I am a recent graduate of Yale University, and am currently studying on fellowship at the People’s University of China. My work with Himalayan Consensus to date has included researching issues related to climate change, its potential to disrupt the lives of people living in the Himalayan region, and the various positions of governments and institutions in relation to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. I also worked with organization founder Laurence Brahm to create the Himalayan Consensus Product Certification Process. Through my involvement with Himalayan Consensus, I hope to contribute to the development of ‘horizontal’ social networks and further the cause of sustainable development. In the fall of 2010, I will be attending the Stanford University Law School to study international environmental law.

 

Jessica Qu, B.S.
Intern Summer 2009
Biology 2010, Yale University

My experience with the Himalayan Consensus provided me with a deeper understanding of the importance of adapting the appropriate business models for service delivery systems to address changing community needs. As an opportunity to challenge myself and hone my nascent leadership and interpersonal skills, the experience was unparalleled. It opened my eyes to the work that remains to improve conditions in the developing world and offered me the hands-on experience to develop initiatives that drive change. Witnessing the desperate needs of some of the world's poorest populations confirmed my commitment to international humanitarian work. I have also come to recognize the importance of establishing sustainable projects that empower individuals to take a more active role not only in their own lives, but also the health of their community and future generations. I believe the experience and knowledge I have gained as a Himalayan Consensus intern will serve me well in all my future endeavors.

 

Mohammed Jawad Ansari
Intern Summer 2009
Masters of Business Administration – Finance 2010, Krannert School of Management, Purdue University

I was introduced to the Shambhala social enterprise through some personal contacts. After a brief discussion with the founder, Laurence Brahm, about his vision and mission for the organisation, I became very interested in the cause. The goal of the organization was to generate economic activity through micro-equity projects that would create jobs and address poverty and income gap inequality in the Himalayan region. The concept of this economic development is based on the Himalayan Consensus that prioritizes environment protection and promotes ethnic diversity through culturally sustainable development.

Since I had a financial background, I volunteered to help out with the financing and investing needs of the organization. In the summer of 2009, Shambhala social enterprise was involved in building 6 eco-tourism lodges in the Himalayan region. The profits from these projects would be used to create micro-equity projects for the people of the region. I worked closely with Laurence Brahm whose knowledge, experience, and passion for the culturally sustainable economic development was a great sense of motivation.

The great thing about volunteering with Shambhala was that I worked on my own schedule and had the flexibility to freely share my ideas and views about the project. I was given the creative freedom to drive my projects as long as the end results were aligned with the vision and mission of the organization. In addition, I got the help and support I needed from Laurence and other members of the organization to achieve the end results. It was a great experience that gave me a sense of self satisfaction for having to participate in a good cause that would benefit the upcoming generations of one of the most poverty struck regions in the world.

 

Marcia Gray West
Intern Summer-Winter 2009
Mandarin Chinese 2009, University of Utah

Volunteering for Shambhala broadened my knowledge in terms of current global realities and the harmful effect certain institutions have on cultural identity. Working with Shambhala, I saw how traditional customs and artistry can invigorate communities when they are put into daily practice and create sustainable businesses. While the local people preserve their culture by practicing the customs of their ancestors, visitors to the particular area have the opportunity to interact with a separate culture and support its beauty.

Most of my time was spent in the Beijing office, working in a fast-paced environment to complete administrative work, including correspondence with foreign embassies, responding to emails, and writing content for various assignments. The staff size is relatively small, which meant I was able to dive in to areas and be given substantial responsibilities. When I mentioned I would like to work “out in the field” to improve my Chinese language skills, I was given the opportunity to work on a qualitative assessment project in which I interviewed Shambhala participants in Chinese at one of its eco-tourism lodges. Conducting these interviews gave me great insight into Tibetan culture and the impact Shambhala’s programs have on individual community members.

My co-workers were extremely friendly and hard-working. I was quickly accepted as part of the team and given meaningful tasks and responsibility. I came to China to learn the language and experience the culture, and my experience at Shambhala provided an interesting exposure to different cultures I had not anticipated.

 

Chris Evan Hearne, B.A.
Intern Spring 2008
Asia Studies (China focus) 2008, University of Washington

Interning at Shambhala gave me access to a lot of knowledge and awareness that I didn't have otherwise. The months I spent there gave me exposure both to the inner workings of a social enterprise with a dedicated staff, but also gave me insight into the important and very real issues that Shambhala is working with today.