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Bhutan Information |
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| BHUTAN |
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| Gross
National Happiness |
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Bhutan
has a unique approach to development, with Gross National Happiness (GNH) as its guiding philosophy. The way of thinking behind this concept is captured
in His Majesty the King's words "Gross National Happiness is more important
than Gross National Product".
It is on the belief that the pursuit of happiness
is the innermost desire of every human being, and that of every citizen
of the kingdom. The concept suggests a much broader, comprehensive and
balanced approach to development.
Bhutan
has a unique approach to development, with Gross National Happiness (GNH) as its guiding philosophy. The way of thinking behind this concept is captured
in His Majesty the King's words "Gross National Happiness is more important
than Gross National Product".
It is on the belief that the pursuit of happiness
is the innermost desire of every human being, and that of every citizen
of the kingdom. The concept suggests a much broader, comprehensive and
balanced approach to development.
In 1961,
Bhutan embarked on a campaign to modernise the economy and the state with
the five-year plans of economic and social development as the main instruments.
Agriculture and hydro-energy are the two main sector of Bhutan's economy.
The Government emphasises the balance between economic development and
the preservation of cultural heritage and natural environment. For
Bhutan development is not measured only in terms of income growth but is
viewed in terms of spiritual happiness. "Gross National Happiness"
is a measurement term unique only to Bhutan, of which the country is proud.
The
philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was first coined by the Fourth
King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
The concept provides
a new perspective on development and suggests a much broader, comprehensive
and balanced approach to development. While GNH has provided a very unique
development vision for Bhutan, it has been a challenge to establish clear
linkages between GNH and the national policy and institutional frameworks.
In 1999,
the government prepared a long term development strategy entitled, "Bhutan
2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness." It envisioned what
the nation wishes to achieve by 2020, complete with a set of development
targets, covering all four policy pillars of GNH.
In 1998,
the then Minister for Foreign Affairs first brought GNH to the notice of
the international community when he addressed the UNDP Regional Meeting
in South Korea. This was a turning point for GNH. A small seminar held
by the Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS) in 1999 following by the two international conferences on GNH brought together
international and national experts in different fields such as psychology,
economics and philosophy to discuss and examine GNH not just from a theoretical
aspect but from a practical perspective. Bhutanese decision-makers increasingly
began to think about applying GNH in specific policy and planning situations.
Bhutanese
development policy framework based on GNH comprises of four pillars:
 balanced
and equitable socio-economic development;
preservation
of the natural environment;
preservation
and promotion of cultural heritage;
and
good governance.
The
Good Governance Taskforce in 2005 discussed
on the operationalization of GNH as an anchor to be established under the
new democratic political system. Adopting GNH as the national development
policy and as criteria for planning and monitoring was considered to be
important means of securing good governance in Bhutan.
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| Source:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2008 |
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