Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the opening of the Civil Society Fair 2016 at the Changlimithang Centenary Park in Thimphu yesterday.

Thirty-four Civil Society Organisations in Bhutan that are involved in various types of work in various areas participated in the two-day fair. Entitled “Celebrating Civil Society”,  the fair is a thematic exhibition of civil society work designed to advocate presence of CSOs and the roles the fraternity plays in complimenting government efforts to achieve the development goals of the country.

The 2016 fair has been build around a thematic exhibition using the 4 pillars/9 domains of Gross National Happiness.

Besides exhibitions, the visitors will also get to witness entertainment programme by volunteer and professional dancers, singers and street-artists.

As the Royal Patron of a number of civil society organisations, including the Ability Bhutan Society, the Royal Society for Protection of Animals, and Bhutan Kidney Foundation, Her Majesty works closely with CSOs in Bhutan.

The first CSO fair was held in 2013, coinciding with the Royal Wedding Anniversary.