The first segment on a new global development paradigm to promote well-being and happiness will be presented to the United Nations in 2013. Bhutan has already begun working towards it with an international working group of experts and a steering committee. The steering committee and the international working group of experts were formally established through a Royal Decree. The Decree was issued by His Majesty the King on July 28, 2012.
One of the steering committee members, and also the information and communications secretary, Dasho Kinley Dorji, said the committee will draw a new development paradigm which will be beyond the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The world has come to an understanding that things can’t go as they are. The gross domestic product led economy, is wrong and we are doomed for destruction if we don’t change. And it is at this stage, and this kind of prospective that Bhutan comes in with GNH inspired approach to development,” said Dasho Kinley Dorji.
The International Expert Working Group, which has about 60 top economists, scientists, philosophers, and accomplished professionals will draft the new global development paradigm.
Dasho Kinley Dorji said there are lot of works around the world on well-being on sustainability, climate change, things which are related, relevant to Gross national Happiness. “So drawing on all those, drawing our own inspiration here, the idea is that we draft a new development paradigm. A paradigm above or beyond GDP.”
The committee members will base their work on best practices, research and discourse. “The idea is to draft such a proposal and the first segment will be taken to UN general assembly next year and final version the year after,” said Dasho Kinley.
He also added that the millennium development goals which the world is following, comes to an end 2015. “So what happens from there, what kind of guidelines does the world especially developing country, need after,” he said adding, the idea is Bhutan is able to contribute to that new era of human development.
The steering committee appointed by His Majesty the King is headed by the Prime Minister, Jigmi Yoezer Thinley, and includes Dasho Karma Ura, Dasho Kinley Dorji, Karma Tshiteem, Tashi Choden, Tashi Ron Colman, Mark Mancall, and the Foreign Secretary as an ex-officio member.
