Laurence J. Brahm (born March 31, 1961) an American-born global activist, author, pioneer social enterprise entrepreneur, political-economist, international mediator, and lawyer based in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

, China and Lhasa

Lhasa

Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...

, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. He is the founder of Himalayan Consensus, a NGO, and the African Consensus Movement, both dedicated to protecting ethnic diversity through sustainable economics. Brahm is also founder and CEO of Shambhala Serai, one of Asia's first social enterprises.

Education

Laurence Brahm studied Intensive Mandarin Language in 1981 at Nankai University

Nankai University

Nankai University , commonly known as Nankai, is a public research university based in Tianjin on mainland China. Founded in 1919 by educators Zhang Boling and Yan Fansun , Nankai University is a member of the Nankai serial schools. It is the alma mater of former Chinese Premier and key historical...

 in Tianjin

Tianjin

' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...

, China near Beijing. In 1982, he studied Political Science Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...

. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Duke University

Duke University

Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...

 in 1983. In 1987, he received both his Masters in Asian Studies with a major in Politics and a minor in Economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii

University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...

 School of Law and Center for Asian Pacific Studies. Laurence Brahm received his Masters in Law from the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law

University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong , first established in 1969 as the Department of Law in the Faculty of Social Science, is the oldest law school in Hong Kong, and is considered to be one of Asia's most prestigious law schools.- History :...

 in 1989.

Books by Laurence Brahm

Book Title	Publisher	Date Published
The Anti-Globalization Breakfast Club	John Wiley	2009
Searching for Shangri-la	Marshal Cavendish	2006
Conversations with Sacred Mountains	Marshal Cavendish	2006
Shambhala Sutra	Marshal Cavendish	2006
New Age Sutra	South China Morning Post/Continental Press	2006
When Yes Means No	Tuttle	2002
Sun Tzu for Business	Tuttle	2002
The Art of the China Deal	Tuttle	2002
China Elements	China Continental Press	2001
Zhu Rongji – The Transformation of Modern China	John Wiley & Sons	2001
China’s Century	John Wiley & Sons	2000
Foreign Investment and Trade Law in Vietnam	Asia	2000,1991
Foreign Exchange Controls and Strategies for the PRC	Longman	1999
Intellectual Property Law in the PRC	Longman	1998
Re-engineering China	Naga	1998
Zhu Ge Liang’s Art of Crisis management for China Joint Ventures	Naga	1997
Red Capital	Naga	1997
Sun Tzu’s Art of Negotiating in China	Naga	1996
Negotiating in China 36 Strategies	Reed	1996
China As No. 1	Butterworths	1996
The Business guide to China	Butterworths	1996
The Laos Investment Guide	FT Pitman; co-author	1995
Banking and Finance in China	Butterworths	1995
Negotiating in China 36 Strategies	Reed Publishing	1995
China Inc	Butterworths	1995
Vietnam: Banking and Finance	Butterworths	1994
The China Forex Guide	Longman; co-author	1993
Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer in China	Longman	1993
Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer in Vietnam	Longman	1993
The Vietnam Customs Guide	Longman	1993
Foreign Exchange controls in China: A Strategic Guide for Corporate Survival	Longman	1992
Banking and Finance in Indochina	Simon & Schustor	1991
Investment in the Lao PDR	Longman	1989

Economic Advisor

The idea that is Himalayan Consensus evolved from Brahm’s years as a central government advisor in Laos, in 1991-92, and Vietnam, . He opposed the “shock therapy” policy prescriptions of the Washington Consensus

Washington Consensus

The term Washington Consensus was coined in 1989 by the economist John Williamson to describe a set of ten relatively specific economic policy prescriptions that he considered constituted the "standard" reform package promoted for crisis-wracked developing countries...

. During his advising years, Brahm began drafting the overarching financial reforms and accompanying policy legislation that led to economic take-off and continues to serve as the development framework for these countries to this day. He was one of the first people to refer to the term "compassionate capitalism". Two decades later, Vietnam and Laos are examples of the success of Brahm’s policy advise.



Brahm advised for Cambodia, Mongolia, and China under the economist, former Premier Zhu Rongji

Zhu Rongji

Zhū Róngjī is a prominent Chinese politician who served as the Mayor and Party chief in Shanghai between 1987 and 1991, before serving as Vice-Premier and then the fifth Premier of the People's Republic of China from March 1998 to March 2003.A tough administrator, his time in office saw the...

. He worked with Zhu during the critical years that supervised China’s transition from Planned Economy

Planned economy

A planned economy is an economic system in which decisions regarding production and investment are embodied in a plan formulated by a central authority, usually by a government agency...

 to Market Economy

Market economy

A market economy is an economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. This is often contrasted with a state-directed or planned economy. Market economies can range from hypothetically pure laissez-faire variants to an assortment of real-world mixed...

. Brahm was a member of Zhu’s economic advisors that paved the way for China’s entry into the WTO in 2001. He considered his work on economic and monetary reform policy in Beijing to be finished. Laurence Brahm coined the phrase “China Centry” theory which juxtaposed the “China Collapse” theory held by certain scholars in the West. Brahm documented the reforms that he personally witness in his biography of Zhu in “Zhu Rongli – the Transition of Modern China.”



Following China’s entry into the WTO in 2001, Brahm shifted his focus from coastal China to the western regions, moving to the Himalayan Plateau. Since 2002, Laurence Brahm has refused any further engagement with multinational corporations as an investment advisor and strategist. In the following years, he formed Himalayan Consensus.


On the 30th anniversary of Open Door Policy

Open Door Policy

The Open Door Policy is a concept in foreign affairs, which usually refers to the policy in 1899 allowing multiple Imperial powers access to China, with none of them in control of that country. As a theory, the Open Door Policy originates with British commercial practice, as was reflected in...

, Laurence Brahm was selected by China Central TV as one of the ten non-political figures contributing to China's economic opening and reform. He was the only foreigner chosen.

Himalayan Consensus

Himalayan Consensus, officially founded in 2005, is a NGO for protecting ethnic diversity, culture and environment and is a member of the United Nations Theme Group on Poverty and Inequality, United Nations Global Compact, and in the process of becoming a member of ECOSOC.



The three pillars that the Consensus was found on include: Supporting ethnic diversity and indigenous identity, through sustainable economic platforms such as micro-finance and social entrepreneurship, while prioritizing environmental protection and community developmentThis theory is a reaction to popular economic and development theories. Himalayan Consensus openly stands against theories that have been promoting across many developing countries that focus should be on rebuilding from the top down. Laurence Brahm’s theory endorses development from the group up. The local population need to be given the proper tools to develop economically while preserving culture and tradition. Laurence Brahm believes, “the Himalayan Consensus is based on one principle: preserving and maintaining ethnic diversity, culture, heritage and the environment through a sustainable economic platform.”The Himalayan Consensus works towards empowering people with local pragmatism in place of globalization ideology and theory. Brahm’s theory has been called, “an innovative approach to development.”



In 2009, Himalayan Consensus was invited by the United Nations to become a member of the United Nations Theme Group for Poverty and Inequality. The UN recognizes the Himalayan Consensus as an effort to reduce poverty levels while protecting cultural sustainability. Himalayan Consensus works with other groups who support the concept of micro-financing created by Muhammed Yunus to synthesize ideas and become a movement .


In March 2009, the concepts of the Himalayan Consensus were crystallized in Brahm’s latest book, "The Anti-Globalization Breakfast Club: Manifesto for a Peaceful Revolution".



The Himalayan Consensus is an idea that turned into a series of tangible projects from documentaries, Searching for Shangri-la and Shambhala Sutra, filmed during Brahm’s 2002 trip to the Himalayas. In 2005, he began restoring various buildings in Tibet, and created geo-tourist lodges and emphasized the employment of locals and the use of local materials. Micro-finance programs were installed to help indigenous people establish their own enterprises while improving the economic conditions of the minority groups. Extensive programs of heritage building restoration, microequity empowerment for marginalized women and the handicapped, medical outreach programs (including establishing clinics in monasteries and campaigns to rid blindness among nomadic and poor populations, and the first free education Montessori school in a Tibetan Region.

Shambhala Serai

Brahm is founder and CEO of Shambhala Serai, which is a sustainable heritage and eco-tourism boutique hotel group in Tibet and Beijing that supports programs for heritage restoration, disabled employment, women empowerment, medical oureach and education. It is also one of the first social enterprises in China. Shambhala Serai emphasizes women, disabled, and individuals with little or no access to education. The NY Times has called House of Shambhala Lhasa's ,"first high-end boutique hotel, with elegant suites, a yoga center and a Tibetan crafts shop, it seeks to revive Tibetan arts and train Tibetans in tourism management."



Shambhala Serai Locations

• House of Shambhala in Lhasa, Tibet, China
• Shambhala Palace in Lhasa Tibet, China
• Shambhala Source in Terdrom, Tibet, China
• Shambhala Desert Dream in Gyangtse, Tibet, China
• Shambhala at the Great Wall in Beijing, China

Shambhala Serai has put several programs place to support Tibetan locals. Heritage Restoration engages Tibetan artisans carving traditional stone masonries, wood, and engravings. Such skills are passed down orally in Tibetan culture. By empowering Monks as medics, Shambhala Serai established medical clinics in monastaries so monks can reach other to local nomadic villages that require medical care and spiritual guidance. The incense and massage oils used at Shambhala Serai Hollistic Spa facilities are made by monks in any of the four established clinics. Let the People See supports operations to cure blindness among Tibetan's rural and nomadic population. Presently, over 2700 operations have been funded. The largest eye care camp in a Tibetan Region was established in 2009 funded by Shambhala Serai. Tibetan Yoga Revival helps revive traditional Tibetan yoga as an art. Programs training deaf and speech impaired Tibetans have been put into place. The Mala Bead Breakfast Club promotes the sale of handcrafted Tibetan prayer beads. This program provides supportive income to nuns. Other programs include: Save the Tibetan Tiger, Shambhala Source Hot Spring Retreat at Terdrom, Tibetan Textile Tradition, Tibetan Turquoise Revival, Give the Children a Chance, and The Tibetan's Children Initiative.




House of Shambhala was used by a fashion crew in 2006 for an advertisement because the guesthouse was deemed authentic Tibetan design.



Following the Yushu Earthquake in 2010, Shambala Serai provided over 80 tons of Zamba, basic Tibetan staple food, Yak butter, medical equipment, and a convoy of trucks.




The Shambhala Serai social enterprise began with heritage preservation in Beijing Red Capital courtyard restorations and were part of a lobbying process that obtained a protection order from the Beijing Municipal Government for the Dongsi neightborhood in Eastern District in Beijing. Brahm advocated neighborhood evolution and stopped developers from uprooting homes and destroying ancient architecture. Today, Red Capital consists of Beijing's first courtyard restaurant and hotel, as well as the Shambhala Studio. Heritage preservation work has received architecture design accolades from: "China Chic", "China Style", "Chinese Design" , "Inside Asia" , "The Hotel Book" , and "Design Ideas for Renewal" . Red Capital is featured in Wall Street, Time, Fortune, New York Times. Red Capital evolved to Shambhala at the Great Wall, Laurence's first eco tourism program protecting heritage sites and natural mountain evironments.

Controversies

Laurence Brahm was criticized after his prediction that China’s economy will rise to the largest in the world, in his book “China as No. 1”. This idea was hotly debated because many people did not expect China to achieve such rank. In 2001, he published “China Century”, which stated the argument on China Century. The argument says that England ruled the 19th century, United States ruled the 20th century, and China with rule the 21st century. A debate began from those who advocated the collapse of China in the 21st century, such as Gordon Chang

Gordon Chang

Gordon Chang may refer to:* Gordon G. Chang, author* Gordon H. Chang, professor at Stanford University...

.



Since 1990, Shock therapists argued against Brahm's theory of gradual reforms, and sequenced approach used in Vietnam, Laos, and China.


Laurence Brahm has been referred to as too pro-China. Brahm's near-decade long South China Morning Post

South China Morning Post

The South China Morning Post , together with its Sunday edition, the Sunday Morning Post, is an English-language Hong Kong newspaper, published by the SCMP Group with a circulation of 104,000....

 column was cancelled in 2009. It is said that he is "black listed" from the SCMP. The reason being that his column was too controversial.



Brahm came into sharp criticism predicting the rise of the Chinese currency as a global currency. His article published by the Center for Strategic International Studies for Pacnet

Pacnet

Pacnet is a global telecommunications service provider formed from the operational merger of Asia Netcom and Pacific Internet on 8 January 2008...

.Many opposers responded saying, "Laurence Brahm does not know what he is talking about. There is no long-term significance in the fact that China and other countries are buying SDR-denominated "bonds" from the IMF."

External links

• Laurence Brahm’s Website - www.laurencebrahm.com
• Himalayan Consensus - www.himalayanconsensus.org
• Shambhala Serai Heritage Hotels - www.shambhalaserai.com