Laurence Brahm is the leading advocate of a fresh development paradigm – The Himalayan Consensus – an innovative approach to development.
Brahm is a global activist, international mediator, political columnist and author. He also directs documentary films about Tibet, designs architecture and interiors, raises huskies, is a karate black belt, yoga and meditation practitioner. He resides in Lhasa and Beijing.
Shambhala is the Consensus Communities of the Himalayas. It is a social enterprise dedicated to changing lives, fighting poverty, and pioneering progressive sustainable development programs that serve as models to indigenous communities both within and beyond the Himalayas.
Architecture embodies ethnicity and is a dialogue between each people and their environment. Preserving heritage neighborhoods through restoration of historic architecture serves as a platform for cultural sustainability. It all begins with a recognition of the intrinsic power and beauty of local culture, dusting off the corrosion of globalization and getting back to basics. Protecting traditional local architecture is a first step.
At present, along with Tianjin satelite television, Brahm is co-directing and co-hosting a United Nations/UNDP endorsed program Green China (2009) - a media campaign to raise awareness of the challenges and dangers of global warming within China.