Bhutan kicks goals for well-being
When the world’s worst two soccer teams played off in the 2002 World Cup in ‘the other final’, Bhutan – ranked 202 – was there, with its Foreign Minister telling film-makers that Gross National Happiness, not winning finals, was his country’s main game. Despite globalization, development in Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon – remains proudly and distinctively Bhutanese. As well as economic indicators, Bhutan uses non-quantifiable goals such as spiritual well-being and Gross National Happiness (assessed through economic self-reliance, environmental preservation, cultural promotion and good governance) to plan and execute development. The King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has made these priorities clear: ‘Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product’. This is translating into laws such as the Forest Act whereby all trees – even those on private land – are owned and protected by the Government, as well as tourism restrictions: only 5,594 tourist visas were issued in 2002. The concept was introduced by the King in the late 1980s, but has evolved from a society that maintains the values of the world’s last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom.
Join over 10,000 people just like you. Get e-mail updates about new content, issue alerts, contests, and more!
Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
