Around 50 legal experts, environmentalists and political scientists from eight different countries are meeting virtually at the second International Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Law Conference which began yesterday. The participants will share and discuss different research works on legal matters and GNH during the three-day conference. Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck who graced the event launched two pioneering JSW Law efforts.
The ‘’Legal Need Assessment’’ book represents the first major research initiative of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) school of law collected through the views of 20 districts. Meanwhile ‘’GNH and Law’’ is a first of its kind developed course for the JSW Law students which reflects an interdisciplinary exploration of the relation between GNH and Law.
HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, the President of JSW Law School, opened the conference with a keynote address:
“Over the years many scholars from Bhutan and outside have explored the impacts of a GNH-centric worldview on areas such as development, economics, public policy and finance. JSW Law will now explore what GNH might have to say about the rule of law and the justice system.’’
The books represent the vital components of Gross National Happiness towards creating a just, fair and content society.
‘’These are two very valuable publications of the law school and we hope this two documents will go a very long way in not only helping our students but all our people as well as international participants and also legal academics about these two subjects,’’ said Sangay Dorjee, the Founding Dean of JSW Law School.
The first GNH and Law conference was held in 2018.
Kelzang Choden
