Topic: Gross National Happiness
Gross National Happiness (GNH), sometimes called Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH),
is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used
to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National
Happiness Index is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution
of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.
History
The advent and concept of "Gross National Happiness" (GNH) flourished and germinated
in the mind of Compassionate Bodhisattva Druk Gyelpo, the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme
Singye Wangchuk, groomed with the evolution of "Gaki Phuensum" (Peace and
Prosperity) and Modernization period of Bhutan during the reign (1952 - 1972) of Druk
Gyelpo, the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
The term "Gross National Happiness" as conceptualized by the 4th King of Bhutan,
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972 was declared as, "Gross National Happiness is more
important than Gross Domestic Product." The concept implies that sustainable
development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal
importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing.In 2011, The UN General Assembly
passed Resolution "Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development" urging
member nations to follow the example of Bhutan and measure happiness and well-being
and calling happiness a "fundamental human goal."In 2012, Bhutan's Prime Minister
Jigme Thinley and the Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon of the United Nations convened
the High Level Meeting: Well-being and Happiness: Defining a New Economic
Paradigm to encourage the spread of Bhutan's GNH philosophy. At the High Level
meeting, the first World Happiness Report was issued. Shortly afterward, the 20 March
was declared to be International Day of Happiness by the UN in 2012 with resolution
66/28.Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay proclaimed a preference for focus on
more concrete goals instead of promoting GNH when he took office, but subsequently
has protected the GNH of his country and promoted the concept internationally. Other
Bhutanese officials also promote the spread of GNH at the UN and internationally.
Definition
GNH is distinguishable from Gross Domestic Product by valuing collective happiness as
the goal of governance, by emphasizing harmony with nature and traditional values as
expressed in the 9 domains of happiness and 4 pillars of GNH. According to the
Bhutanese government, the four pillars of GNH are:
sustainable and equitable socio-economic development;
environmental conservation;
Gross National Happiness (GNH), sometimes called Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH),
is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used
to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National
Happiness Index is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution
of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.
History
The advent and concept of "Gross National Happiness" (GNH) flourished and germinated
in the mind of Compassionate Bodhisattva Druk Gyelpo, the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme
Singye Wangchuk, groomed with the evolution of "Gaki Phuensum" (Peace and
Prosperity) and Modernization period of Bhutan during the reign (1952 - 1972) of Druk
Gyelpo, the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
The term "Gross National Happiness" as conceptualized by the 4th King of Bhutan,
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972 was declared as, "Gross National Happiness is more
important than Gross Domestic Product." The concept implies that sustainable
development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal
importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing.In 2011, The UN General Assembly
passed Resolution "Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development" urging
member nations to follow the example of Bhutan and measure happiness and well-being
and calling happiness a "fundamental human goal."In 2012, Bhutan's Prime Minister
Jigme Thinley and the Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon of the United Nations convened
the High Level Meeting: Well-being and Happiness: Defining a New Economic
Paradigm to encourage the spread of Bhutan's GNH philosophy. At the High Level
meeting, the first World Happiness Report was issued. Shortly afterward, the 20 March
was declared to be International Day of Happiness by the UN in 2012 with resolution
66/28.Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay proclaimed a preference for focus on
more concrete goals instead of promoting GNH when he took office, but subsequently
has protected the GNH of his country and promoted the concept internationally. Other
Bhutanese officials also promote the spread of GNH at the UN and internationally.
Definition
GNH is distinguishable from Gross Domestic Product by valuing collective happiness as
the goal of governance, by emphasizing harmony with nature and traditional values as
expressed in the 9 domains of happiness and 4 pillars of GNH. According to the
Bhutanese government, the four pillars of GNH are:
sustainable and equitable socio-economic development;
environmental conservation;
