The two-day conference titled “Operationalising Gross National Happiness in Bhutan and Beyond” began today at Dungkar Dzong in Paro. The event explores how Bhutan’s GNH vision can be put into action, starting in villages and growing into a global model for balanced and people-centred development. The conference is being held under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
Tarayana Foundation and the Georgetown Institute of Open and Advanced Studies (GIOAS), in partnership with the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies and DHI Innotech, are organising the conference. It brings together spiritual leaders, policymakers, researchers, and technologists from across the globe.
“As we navigate the digital age, the opportunity to scale this success is at hand. Scaling, however, is not about simple replication, it is about amplification. It means enabling communities to discover their own paths to transformation while staying connected to a larger movement that balances people and the planet,” said Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
During the conference, Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck launched an exhibition on the Rukha Village Model, a smart village rooted in Bhutanese traditions. The model blends spirituality, ecology, and indigenous wisdom to create a harmonious, resilient, and self-sufficient community.
The day’s sessions focused on how GNH can be brought to life through local governance, urban planning, and innovative financial tools.
A key message throughout the day was the need to change how people think about development. Speakers shared ideas on how inner change through education, mindfulness and spiritual growth can lead to positive change in the world.
The Tarayana Foundation shared insights from over two decades of grassroots work, showing how GNH has already made a difference in vulnerable communities through trust, compassion, and local leadership.
Tomorrow, the conference will focus on education, ecology, and technology.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sonam Pem
