Helena Norberg-Hodge

Helena Norberg-Hodge, born on February first, nineteen forty-six, is a prominent film director, non-fiction writer, environmentalist, linguist, and advocate for localization. As the founder and director of Local Futures, formerly known as the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), she has been a pioneering force in the Localization movement. Local Futures is dedicated to revitalizing cultural and biological diversity while strengthening local communities and economies around the globe.

Norberg-Hodge is perhaps best known for her international best-selling book, Ancient Futures, published in nineteen ninety-one. This influential work explores the themes of tradition and change in the Himalayan region of Ladakh and is available in multiple languages, including ecobook and audiobook formats. In her more recent publication, Local is Our Future, released in two thousand nineteen, she advocates for localized alternatives to the global economy, emphasizing the importance of robust local food systems and democratic structures that can effectively counter authoritarianism.

An outspoken critic of economic globalization, she co-founded the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) in nineteen ninety-four alongside notable figures such as Jerry Mander, Doug Tompkins, Vandana Shiva, and Martin Khor. Her commitment to localization as a solution to the challenges posed by globalization led her to establish the International Alliance for Localization (IAL) in two thousand fourteen.

In addition to her writing, Norberg-Hodge produced and co-directed the award-winning documentary film, The Economics of Happiness, released in two thousand eleven. This film articulates her arguments against economic globalization and advocates for localization. Recently, she initiated World Localization Day (WLD), a global online event aimed at raising awareness about localization. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Right Livelihood Award in nineteen eighty-six for her work in preserving the traditional culture and values of Ladakh, and the Goi Peace Award in two thousand twelve for her pioneering contributions to the localization movement.