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Biography

Sydney, Australia Consultant –
The New Agenda,
Global Foresight & Innovation, Arup

With a background in strategic management and global politics, Mr. Shanmugan is a geopolitical strategist, writer, and a United Nations Ambassador for the Global Atlas of Human Rights. Mr. Shanmugan is a consultant to Arup, where he helps to develop and shape leadership programs, formulates policy scenarios for reform, facilitates discussions, and leads plenary forums. Arup is a global firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services to shape a better world. Arup’s New Agenda initiative brings together some of Australia’s finest minds and is focused on developing sustainable long-term solutions in relation to energy, climate change, resource use and a low-carbon economy. Mr. Shanmugan is considered one of Australia’s most inspirational leaders in international humanitarian law, and he is recognized as a “Face to Watch” by the Sydney Morning Herald. He has previously worked at Egon Zehnder International, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, has sat on several government advisory boards, and recently was a political analyst in the scenario planning unit at Royal Dutch Shell. Mr. Shanmugan was also the founding president of the UNSW United Nations Society and Vice-President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Centenary Medal from the Australian Government, the Human Rights Youth Medal from the Human Rights Commission, and the Australian Humanitarian Award; Mr. Shanmugan also excels as a freelance journalist.  His writings have appeared in several international publications. In 2008, he attended the International Visitor Leadership Program, the U.S. Government’s premier exchange program. Mr. Shanmugan graduated with honors in politics and international relations from the University of New South Wales, where he wrote his thesis on the changing nature of warfare.

Statement of Intent

Mr. Shanmugan is interested in the geopolitics of energy. He hopes to broaden his knowledge and understanding of the issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy, carbon markets, and sustainability. He additionally is seeking knowledge on the manner in which nations going through rapid urbanization are handling urban design, city planning, energy distribution, and waste management.