Conference Announcement

  The 5th International Conference on Gross National Happiness

Gross National Happiness in Practice

  1.      Introduction

The Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS) is pleased to announce that the 5th International Conference on GNH (Gross National Happiness in Practice) will be held from 20-24 November 2009 in Itaipu, Brazil. The Future Vision Ecological Park, Brazil and the Itaipu Bi-national Hydroelectric Facility, co-owned by Brazil and Paraguay, are the co-host and organisers.

2.      Aims

The aim of the conference is to bring together actors and agents of development such as leaders, policy makers, practitioners, civil society organisers, intellectuals and academics to explore and examine issues, problems, questions and topics of local, regional, national or international importance for a range of development issues, and to exchange ideas and engage in serious dialogues and discussions on,

-          Importance and need for alternative development approaches;

-          New/alternative approaches to development and its practical application;

-          Measurement of true societal progress and the need for new/alternative indicators to track progress;

-          Environment, development and sustainability;

-          Wellbeing and quality of life issues in development; and

-          Shift in focus towards non-economic side of development.

3.      Objectives

The main objectives of the conference are,

-          To provide a creative platform for inspiring exchanges on transformation, revitalizing ancient culture and simplicity in the context of modernity, and cross-cultural communication on transformational world views;

-          To facilitate exchanges, interaction, scientific debate and networking on research on Gross National Happiness and related issues; to develop frameworks for ongoing research;

-          To strengthen and innovate effective approaches and supporting networks inducing tangible results towards the improvement of people’s happiness, well-being, peace and Human Security involving all stakeholders (NGO’s, civil society, governments and intergovernmental bodies, corporate sector, business networks and social entrepreneurs);

-          To provide a forum for presenting problems (local, national and international) confronting the development agents, discuss common solutions through the sharing of local, national and international experiences and share ideas to move forward; and

-          To challenge current development paradigms and initiate, strengthen, and create pathways towards holistic development benefiting all sentient beings.

The conference proceedings will be produced and disseminated with the dual purpose of fuelling further academic study and debate and assisting managers, practitioners and policymakers in planning, executing and evaluating development activities and results. 

4.      Registration

You can register to attend the conference at www.felicidadeinternabruta.org.br

Registration form and details of fees for attending the conference are available at the same web site.

The Bhutanese delegation will be led by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley.

For further information, please visit the 5th GNH Conference web at www.felicidadeinternabruta.org.br or contact CBS at 02-321007/ wangdikarma@gmail.com.

You can also write directly to our co-organiser Dr Susan Andrews at susan@visaofuturo.org.br