Social entrepreneur, Ngawang Gyeltshen, has become the first Bhutanese to be featured in Vanity Fair Global Goals List. He was recognised for promoting social entrepreneurship in Bhutan and advocating for global peace. The Global Goals List recognises 17 global leaders from over 190 countries who are leading efforts to tackle the world’s most pressing issues and whose leadership is catalysing the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
26-year-old Ngawang Gyeltshen from Lhuentse is a social entrepreneur. A social entrepreneur is someone who recognises a social problem and uses entrepreneurial skills to solve social, environmental or economic problems.
He has been running a startup business called Bhutan Food for about four years now. Bhutan Food is an agriculture system development startup where the team works with Japanese companies to promote organic Bhutanese products in foreign markets. They also promote organic agriculture in the country.
Ngawang said that he was overjoyed for being featured in Vanity Fair Global Goals List.
“It is a very nerve-wracking and surreal experience really to be featured in this list, this year. At the same time, I really think that the young people of Bhutan draw a lot of inspiration from His Majesty. And His Majesty’s great trust and faith in the young people of Bhutan sort of empowers us. So, while I am very nervous, at the same time, I think there is so much more that needs to be done.”
Ngawang believes that youth have the power to accelerate social impact and tackle pressing global issues.
“Currently, we have young people with great ideas who are trying to solve problems not just at a local stage but also in the global arena. So, I think it is imperative that young people realise this immense responsibility and embrace the opportunity this presents for us.”
He further added that becoming an entrepreneur sounds challenging but it offers a huge opportunity to come up with solutions using creativity and innovative ventures.
“We need to be going at a global stage and we need to be competing with startups out there. A technology for good- I think Bhutan can really have that as our USB. To sum up my answer, I think the biggest hindrance that we have is also the biggest opportunity which is to compete on a global stage.”
He is planning to start a tech startup in line with His Majesty’s vision to promote ICT in the country championed by young people.
Ngawang was also recognised as European Development Days Young Leader last year and was invited to speak at a high-level panel in Brussels.
Tashi Yangden
Edited by Sonam Pem
