Bjorn launched the Midgard expedition for sustainable development internationally at the explorers club in New York in 2003 and he was invited to speak about the Midgard expedition and a polymathic approach to solving global issues during the course of 2003.

He has also spoken at Liberty Life's management academy in Johannesburg, during February, on polymathic leadership and personal effectiveness as well as at the following prestigious events:

•  The Explorers Club annual dinner in New York city during April 2003;

•  In Geneva at the United Nations on 31st may 2003 at the 10th general assembly of the Green Cross International;

•  At the Kon-Tiki museum in Oslo to the Norwegian members of parliament, shipping industry and exploration communities in early June;

• At National Geographic, Washington, D.C.;

•  Again at the Explorers Club, New York, as guest speaker on 16th June;

•  At the Lowell Thomas annual dinner at the united nations in New York on 25th October 2003, on "the future of exploration - a global challenge", where he was awarded the Lowell Thomas gold medal by the Rolex watch company for his contribution to the future of scientific exploration.

Bjørn has studied human nature in the hardest of workshops. It was during his six year sentence to detention and community service as a conscientious objector in the mid-eighties in apartheid South Africa that he began to explore firsthand the nature of organisations and the individuals within them. This interest led to further, more formal, research and study, on his release, and ultimately the development and launch of a series of personal, corporate, and community development programmes. His passion for finding solutions and working models of intelligent sustainable human habitation lead to the launching of the Midgard expedition and his working with eleven different African communities to provide such models. These have expanded with the needs of the clients, communities and eco systems they serve.

Bjørn is currently involved in the life of the Midgard community of consultants in programme development, facilitation and consulting with numerous public and private organisations and individuals. These include South Africa's leading financial, property, transport agricultural, printing, import and export houses, as well as national media and communications networks, electricity distribution and management selection groups, who all enjoy his empathic and personalized approach.

Bjørn's dominant focus is on effectively realizing human potential in respect of sustainable social, economic, environmental and lifestyle issues. He harnesses a range of disciplines in his individual and organizational development work and he is an acknowledged expert in the training and development of South Africa's diverse people. He has an intimate knowledge of the unique conditions that exist in the new South African business and social environment and has consulted for and assisted foreign and local investors to understand the motivational needs, marketing strategies as well as the social, political and environmental issues extant in these times.

Bjørn is a keen mountaineer and a passionate environmentalist, and practical philosopher, and many of his development programmes take place in the high mountains of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Drakensberg, the rugged African wilderness, the islands off Mozambique and the Italian Rivera. These expeditions assist in breaking down barriers between people and distancing them from trivial office and social politics. Participants not only experience the benefits of the lectures, theory and consultancy, but enjoy a life experience in the best atmosphere for creative thinking, renewal and reflection.

Bjørn has a close affinity with his Nordic and Viking ancestry, which is traceable back to 812 ad. He has inherited and learned much of his adventurous spirit from his grandfather, Dr. Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific Ocean on the balsawood raft "Kon-Tiki" in 1947. In recent years, Bjørn has featured has featured on national television and radio, due to public interest in his unique development approach. He has travelled and explored extensively and manages an international property portfolio.

Bjørn is the father of six children, is an amateur musician, enjoys mountaineering, exploring, wildlife and long distance swimming.

AWARDS

Bjorn Heyerdahl was invited to speak at the Lowell Thomas annual dinner which took place at the United Nations in New York in October 2003, on "the future of exploration - a global challenge", where he was awarded the Lowell Thomas gold medal by the Rolex watch company for his contribution to the scientific exploration of existing tribal communities and demonstrating their relevance to current sustainable development.

"Thanks to people such as you who have been equipped with the passion and energy to try to make this incredible planet sustainable- there may be hope for the future, for animals and people. It is a great, important and urgent mission you are initiating."

"In the tradition of your grandfather, Thor Heyerdahl, may you explore for knowledge and share what you learn for the benefit of the world."

"In this era defined by mind-boggling technological achievement, we need ever more desperately to appreciatively understand our connectedness to the resources of our natural world. We have yet much to learn from the indigenous communities and their means of prospering sustainably from within the environment and specific natural resources. The importance and value of your project and mission is underscored by the support and recognition already received: we have so much to learn...so much to respect. Your mission is worthy of great and ongoing applause and will serve the explorers club well into the 21st century."

"I was very interested to read your expedition for sustainability and I wish you every success."

The silver medallion was presented to Bjørn Heyerdahl at the United Nations in Geneva by Mikhail Gorbachev for exceptional contribution to the activities of the Green Cross International furthering the principles inherent in the GCI:

"Your participation at our 10th anniversary represents the ongoing support of the Heyerdahl family of the green cross international and we rely on your input to guide us into the future on issues of global sustainability and intelligent human civilization."