A Story of Happiness and Vision
Global Bhutanese Forum
Analyzing the strategic impact of the Global Bhutanese Forum on national development and global engagement.
Introduction
The Global Context of Gross National Happiness
Bhutan is internationally recognized as a nation that has successfully operationalized the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) under the policy architect and perfecting leadership of its successive monarchs. The selfless and enlightened guidance of Bhutan’s kings has provided a moral and philosophical foundation for the country’s governance, emphasizing collective well-being, cultural integrity, and environmental stewardship over material accumulation (Tobden; 2024; Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Research, 2024; Ura et al., 2012).
This leadership model has cultivated a strong civic ethos and a cohesive national identity grounded in empathy, equity, and respect for the common good (Phuntsho, 2013), integrating spirituality and wellbeing in the heart of governance (Tobden, 2024).
90%
GNH Integration in Policy
HIGH
Civic Ethos Index
Spiritual heritage in daily life.
Architectural marvel, Paro Taktsang.
A major national ceremony underway at Changlimithang Stadium
Pristine Himalayan landscapes.
The grace of tradition.
The Palace of Great Happiness.
Rationale
Driving the Diaspora Initiative
Kidu System & GNH Success
Among the various policies and programmes in which GNH has been successfully implemented, His Majesty’s Kidu System (also referred as Kidu democracy) stands as Bhutan’s most transformative achievements. As Shaw (2015) notes, Kidu has historically linked the monarch’s moral authority with public welfare, thereby legitimising the system as a structural instrument of equity. The Kidu mechanism translates the normative principles of GNH into tangible socio-economic outcomes, thus, it must be claimed that the success of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in Bhutan can be largely attributed to the Kidu system.
Education, Diaspora & Global Need
Among the various sectors, education stands out as the most transformative sector in terms of gross coverage. Consequently, the allocation of Kidu grants for education has played a significant role in promoting access and opportunity among marginalised groups (Ugyel, 2019; UNESCO, 2022). The GNH infused education system in Bhutan is conceived not merely as an instrument of economic advancement but as a holistic means of fostering intellectual, ethical, and emotional growth among citizens (Tobden, 2024; Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Research, 2015). The integration of GNH principles into education has produced generations of Bhutanese who are globally competent, value-oriented, and socially responsible.
Consequently, Bhutanese economically active age group (youth and civil servants) have increasingly gained access to international opportunities for higher education, research, and professional development (Wangchuk, 2020). This has led to a notable rise in the Bhutanese diaspora, estimated to encompass approximately ten percent of the national population, predominantly comprising of educated, skilled, and young individuals (Dorji, 2023). While this global dispersion signifies Bhutan’s growing international presence, it also underscores the necessity of establishing a formal mechanism to maintain cultural continuity, intellectual exchange, and sustained engagement with the homeland, through the Global Bhutanese Forum platform. Thus, is the ignition for a need for Bhutanese Global Forum.
Core Objectives
The Strategic Pillars
The Global Bhutanese Forum shall be an independent, secular, and non-partisan knowledge network serving as a forum for debate and deliberations on public policies and development issues in Bhutan in order to enhance the quality of life of the Bhutanese people through its influence. It shall engage in research, policy debates and advocacies, publications, conferences, seminars, and events. Its most distinguishing feature will lie in its strong research capacity, policy conversant, and technical experts of Bhutanese studying, working and living outside of Bhutan, to inform policies and practices by systematically integrating research-based analyses and informed opinions with the sensitivities of individual and societal values, and its extensive network of partner-institutes within Bhutan and around the world. The Global Bhutanese Forum seeks to address this emerging need through the following objectives:
Connectivity
To establish a digital and community-based infrastructure that connects Bhutanese individuals living, studying, or working abroad.
Collaboration
To facilitate cross-border academic, professional, and cultural collaborations aligned with the nation’s GNH principles.
Contribution
To mobilize the expertise, innovation, and social capital of the Bhutanese diaspora in support of Bhutan’s national development priorities.
Cultural Cohesion
To nurture a sense of shared identity and belonging among Bhutanese residing overseas, thereby strengthening cultural resilience in a globalized context.
Expected Outcomes
Impact Areas and Engagements
The creation of a Global Bhutanese Forum would represent a strategic investment in Bhutan’s intellectual and cultural capital. By fostering sustained engagement among Bhutanese across the globe, the platform would enable the exchange of knowledge, skills, and ideas essential for national innovation and socio-economic progress. Moreover, it would institutionalize the participation of the diaspora in advancing Bhutan’s GNH vision, ensuring that the core values of happiness, compassion, and collective well-being transcend geographic boundaries. Ultimately, such a platform would enhance Bhutan’s capacity to remain both globally connected and distinctively Bhutanese in its pursuit of holistic development. As a brand, Global Bhutanese Forum will be highly visible and creative. It will leverage social media to disseminate knowledge, innovation and relevance to a broad, national and global target audience. Global Bhutanese Forum would engage on the following thematic areas:
Research and Innovation
Engaging in cutting-edge research and fostering innovative solutions.
Policy discussions and recommendations
Facilitating informed debates and providing actionable policy insights.
Community and Cultural development and service
Strengthening cultural ties and supporting community initiatives globally.
Events
Organizing conferences, seminars, and networking opportunities.