The Mindful Development Forum’s first session was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck yesterday at the Centre for Bhutan and Gross National Happiness Studies in Thimphu. The two-day event examines how development economics and mindfulness practices interact, with an emphasis on innovative projects that promote sustainable growth, well-being, and equal wealth in Bhutan. Alongside their Bhutanese counterparts, more than 40 mid-career students from MIT, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard Business School are taking part. Bhutan’s historic shift from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democratic monarchy was described by Her Royal Highness. The adoption of the Bhutanese Constitution and the current Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, spearheaded by His Majesty the King, were also emphasized by Her Royal Highness.
According to Dr. Pema Dorji, concentrating only on GDP might not improve residents’ general level of pleasure. He emphasized the necessity for comprehensive development plans that address demands at the local level and noted that poverty persists in other nations with more developed economies. According to Andi Wang, a lot of nations are fixated on material growth and GDP. According to him, Bhutan’s GNH offers a methodical framework for encouraging growth that is conscious. GNH, the GMC, and the Gyalsung Program are the three main national projects that the MDF is inspired by and linked with, according to IOH officials.
