7th International Conference on GNH: “GNH of Business”, 7-9 November 2017

22nd September 2017 Off By admin
Call for Papers

7th International Conference on Gross National Happiness: “GNH of Business”, 7 -9 November 2017

The Centre for Bhutan Studies & Gross National Happiness (CBS & GNH) is pleased to announce the 7th International Conference on Gross National Happiness on a theme: “GNH of Business”. It will be held from 7 to 9 November 2017 in Thimphu, Bhutan, to commemorate the 62nd Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the architect of GNH.
The idea of aligning business towards GNH was proposed by His Excellency Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, in his opening address to the 6th International Conference on Gross National Happiness held in 2015, Paro, Bhutan. The Hon’ble Prime Minister mentioned that the current business practices over-emphasizes profit maximization and increasing the share value with little concern for the health of local environment and community wellbeing. He emphasized that companies will have to take GNH seriously to make their business respectful and add value to the society. This additional responsibility will help create a green economy based on sustainable competitiveness. In addition to profit, GNH businesses must enhance the social wellbeing. Companies must undergo a transformation in how they think, perform and re-define development of products and services that also contribute to the society. So far GNH’s influence in Bhutan is restricted to government and bureaucracy while the business sector has been largely ill informed of the GNH principles and what it would mean in integrating GNH. Achieving GNH will require incorporating GNH values into government system and business sector.
To realize this objective, this conference on “GNH of Business” will explore ways to create conditions for achieving GNH in businesses. In addition to presenting concrete policy, frameworks, institutions and measures to promote GNH as a value in companies, the conference will discuss assessment of GNH and implementation issues across the business sector.
The Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH is currently developing a GNH certification framework for businesses in Bhutan. The result will be presented during the conference.
We welcome academics, scholars, researchers, practitioners, businessmen, entrepreneurs, civil society and policy makers to express your interest and submit an abstract of 300 words length to Ms. Chhimi Dem at cdem@bhutanstudies.org.bt.
* The conference dates have been changed since 10 November will be a public holiday in Bhutan.
 Important Dates
The last date for submitting the final papers: 31 October 2017

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