23 December, 2009 - To add to a growing list of countries and communities experimenting or embracing the concept of gross national happiness (GNH), a small GNH movement is kicking off in Montpelier, the capital city of the state of Vermont in the USA.
With the government only recently deliberating adoption of GNH principles into the education curriculum, it may come as a surprise that students in Montpelier high school are already ahead in this area. Environmental and economics students at the school will discuss “happiness and the conditions that support its pursuit”, later this month, following up on a panel discussion on GNH last month.
There is also an non-profit organisation in the city calling itself GNHUSA, which plans to hold a conference in June next year entitled ‘GNH 2010: Changing What We Measure from Wealth to Well-Being’.
Besides the conference, GNHUSA is also planning to conduct introductory meetings about the development concept around the state to “acquaint and interest more people and attract those, who see the wisdom and value of changing our goals to better reflect our wider interests,” accorsding to its website. GNHUSA was formed by six Vermont attendees of the fourth GNH conference held in Thimphu, 2008.
The NGO also plans to conduct statewide surveys and develop a set of indicators to guide “our transition to a healthy, happy and sustainable future.” The group also plans to assist in incorporating GNH into the education curriculum, according to its website.
The centre for Bhutan studies (CBS) president, Dasho Karma Ura, said that he was not surprised at the latest addition to the growing number of communities and institutions interested in GNH. Dasho Karma Ura pointed out that CBS is receiving significant interest in GNH from abroad and almost on a daily basis.
“It has spawned study groups and discussion clubs from the Mekong region to the USA,” said Dasho Karma Ura.
On the GNH movement in the USA, the CBS president said his organisation had also received a proposal from interested institutions wanting to host a regional GNH conference in Wyoming. Dasho Karma Ura said interest in GNH has intensified after more scientific and empirical approaches, such as thorough surveys, were integrated into GNH.
Meanwhile, the CBS president, who has just returned from Thailand, said that Thailand’s higher education system is also exploring the idea of adopting GNH values into its education curriculum.
By Gyalsten K Dorji
