ORGANIZERS:
The Himalayan Consensus and the African Consensus was conceptualized by Laurence Brahm; a global activist, international lawyer, author and chief economist of the New Earth Institute. The concept behind Himalayan and African Consensus evolved from decades in the field advising on investments, economic-financial reform and development, while pioneering one of the earliest social enterprises located in the Himalayas.
The Summit will be led by the Himalayan Consensus Institute (HCI), an organization registered in Hong Kong. The implementation partner for this Summit is Nepal Economic Forum (NEF).
HIMALAYAN CONSENSUS INSTITUTE
The Himalayan Consensus Institute (HCI) promotes grass roots innovation to evolve the social enterprise concept into fresh models for community empowerment, addressing challenges of climate change across the Himalayan region. Areas of focus include: renewable and efficient energy, organic agriculture, water conservation, inclusive finance, and prevention of conflict. Key themes include: empowerment of identity through heritage and artisan protection, and the closing of income gaps through economic empowerment of communities.
The Himalayan Consensus process involves convening an annual conference that will bring together both grass roots and NGO pioneers of social enterprise across the region, together with business and financial leaders, in seeking pragmatic ways to scale local solutions. Throughout the year the Himalayan Consensus Institute will matrix outcomes from the conference together with examples of social enterprise innovation across the Himalayan region, evolving these into a fresh economic paradigm.
NEPAL ECONOMIC FORUM
Nepal Economic Forum (NEF), is a not for profit organization aiming to be Nepal’s premier private sector led economic policy and research institution. NEF strives to re-define the economic development discourse in Nepal, and works towards strengthening the Nepali economy through various activities that promote the growth of an efficient and inclusive private sector. NEF engages in research, analysis and information dissemination to shape national agendas through partnerships.
NEF has successfully hosted multiple events for its own organization as well as external institutions. It has also worked in collaboration with multiple development partners and institutions such as Chatham House, WWF, DANIDA, The Asia Foundation, etc. NEF is currently a recipient of the Think Tank Fund by Open Society Foundations. NEF also hosted the first International Literary Festival ‘Kathmandu Literary Jatra’ in Kathmandu, Nepal. NEF is committed to the areas of Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Alternative Development Paradigms as showcased by its work in these areas.