Operationalization of Gross National Happiness
Background
The philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was first coined by the Fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The concept provides a new perspective on development and suggests a much broader, comprehensive and balanced approach to development. While GNH has provided a very unique development vision for Bhutan, it has been a challenge to establish clear linkages between GNH and the national policy and institutional frameworks. Nonetheless, GNH as the guiding philosophy of Bhutan’s development policy has gained momentum for further operationalization after two successful international conferences.
Objectives
This project aims at assisting the process of incorporating the GNH concept in the day to day policy making in the Royal Government through the achievement of three main outcomes:
- GNH Indicators (Bhutan Development Indicators) established and integrated into policy framework, planning, and monitoring and evaluation process;
- A discussion forum on GNH organized and institutionalized, and GNH papers on key public policy issues published; and
- GNH advocacy and enhanced awareness, particularly among youth.
Achievements & expected results
- Pilot survey to field test the nine identified GNH completed
- Workshop on Psychological Wellbeing, one of the indicators organized with participants from Japan, India and Thailand
- Based on findings of pilot survey, GNH survey questions revised and ready for the nation-wide survey scheduled in January 2008
- Advocacy on GNH conducted at the Royal Institute of Management, Higher Secondary Schools of Yangchenphu and Rinchen, and Institute of Language and Cultural Studies
- Third International Conference on Gross National Happiness: World Views Make a Difference. Towards Global Transformation organized in Thailand
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Bhutan
