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These are the memories that remain etched in my memory after living two years in Bhutan – the Himalayan kingdom best known for its concept of “gross national happiness” (GNH). But, what are GNH and the people of Bhutan really the happiest in the world?
GNH as a development philosophy in Bhutan dates back to 1972, when the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, announced that Bhutan would pursue “happiness” on its development path, rather than measuring progress simply by growth. of gross domestic product (GDP). Revered in Bhutan for his many progressive actions as king, this forward-looking leader recognized that GDP did not take into account the ultimate goal of every human being: happiness.
What does the pursuit of happiness really mean?
John Lennon sums up the concept and the tensions behind it wonderfully. He wrote: “When I was five, my mother always told me that happiness is the key to life. When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote “happy”. They told me that I did not understand the task and I told them that they did not understand life. “
Of course, “happiness” is a difficult goal to understand, let alone measure. Yet, since the 1970s, much has been done to shift GNH from a development philosophy to a central element of Bhutan’s development strategy – seeking to strike a balance between the four fundamental pillars of GNH: socio-development. -economically sustainable and fair; environmental conservation; preservation and promotion of culture; and good governance. A few lessons on how Bhutan, one of the world’s smallest economies, has shown leadership.
Four leadership lessons from Bhutan
1. Good governance: In 2001, the same king who invented the concept of gross national happiness initiated the process of drafting a constitution that would result in the voluntary handing over of power to his people. The king stressed that the constitution should promote and protect the present and future well-being of the people and the country; ensure that Bhutan has a political system that would ensure peace and stability, while strengthening the security and sovereignty of Bhutan. Despite the protests of the population, very satisfied with his royal leadership, the king stressed that it was not wise to leave such a small and vulnerable country in the hands of a single chief, chosen by birth and not by merit. . The constitution led to the introduction of parliamentary democracy, with its first elections in 2008.
<↓ 2. Environmental conservation: Bhutan’s constitution also includes unprecedented environmental measures, with demands such as the need to keep 62% of the country under forest cover at all times. Currently, it maintains a rate of around 72%. During the 2015 COP21 climate negotiations in Paris, Bhutan further announced its intention to remain carbon neutral, ensuring that GHG emissions do not exceed the carbon sequestration capacity of its vast forests. . Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay shares his country’s ambition to be not only carbon neutral but also carbon negative> in this recent TedTalk . Beyond these measures, Bhutan is also home to a diverse ecosystem, ranked among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest species density and recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. It also has the highest proportion of land in protected areas, with five national parks, four wildlife reserves and one nature reserve, covering an area of 16,396.4 square km (42.7% of the country). This list is long.
3. Preservation and promotion of culture: Nestled between the mighty giants of China to the north and India to the south, the fact that this small country remains on the map is in itself an incredible achievement. Its high mountain passes and deep valleys have helped protect the country, but also created isolated communities that have developed their own culture, identity and languages. Bhutan has more than two dozen languages across the country. While celebrating this diversity with the many tsechus At local, or regional festivals, at the national level, the government strives to maintain a “national identity” by requiring civil servants to wear traditional clothes in the workplace and speak Dzonghka as the national language. The emphasis on tradition and the celebration of a unique culture is part of everyday life.
<↓ 4. Sustainable and equitable socio-economic development: The “Gross National Happiness Commission” (essentially the government’s planning commission), has the explicit role of ensuring that all policies in the country pass a “GNH stress test” in order to approach economic development. The GNH Commission examines all government bills before they are submitted to Cabinet using a GHN filter tool, made up of 26 variables that reflect the four fundamental principles of GNH. Based on this assessment, specific policy adjustment recommendations are made.
Bhutan’s HLG approach and concrete actions have certainly raised its profile on the international stage – billed as the “latest Shangri-La” and inspiring work at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with their Better Life Index , and even to conduct dialogues at United Nations General Assembly on how to create a holistic sustainability paradigm through the pursuit of happiness. But, the most important question remains – as a result of these measures, are the people of Bhutan the happiest in the world?
For me this is a difficult question to answer – I have met many enlightened and focused individuals in Bhutan, but I have also encountered many who are struggling to just maintain their livelihoods. What stood out as a unique attribute of the people I met in Bhutan, however, was the importance they place on “time” – taking time to reflect, to spend time with family, to breathe; recognition of the past time and experience of previous generations, and the importance of future generational equity. This appreciation for time, reflection and the ability to take a break is something that many Western cultures have lost, but I believe it is an important part of what makes Bhutan’s GNH philosophy work in the convenient.
TVs, smartphones and the future
Things are changing rapidly, however. The introduction of television in Bhutan in 1999 certainly complicated matters. As the inhabitants of the previously isolated Himalayan kingdom are increasingly exposed to luxuries and comforts from around the world, a sense of desire for “more” has naturally set in. While I was carrying my old Nokia analog phone, my taxi neighbor who lived in a cabin with no running water or heating had invested a large chunk of his savings in a smartphone – increasingly seen as a sign of prestige. Owning a private car is also an aspiration, moving away from the more traditional approach of “shared taxis”, an approach previously common and more environmentally sustainable.
Like many crops based on subsistence agriculture, as was the case in Bhutan, an abandonment of traditional farming practices combined with urban migration is putting pressure on the country to deal with growing youth unemployment and its population. related challenges. While Bhutan is not a country without struggles, what Bhutan has done to take a more balanced approach to economic development is not only evident on the ground, it can also serve as an inspiration for countries around the world. .
Antonia Gawel worked in Bhutan as an advisor to multilateral development banks on clean energy and environmental policy.
Reprinted with permission from World Economic Forum . Read it original article .
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