ONLINE Tibetan & Himalaya Studies Lecture Series on November 22, 2023

We would like to draw your attention to an event organized by the Central Asian Seminars at Humboldt University in Berlin. As part of the lecture series "Tibetan & Himalaya Studies," Sangay Chophel and Jigme Phuntsho from the Center for Bhutan Studies will be giving a presentation on "Indicators, Measurement, and Applications of the GNH Index."

 

Abstract

Efforts to measure Gross National Happiness (GNH), a concept that emerged in the 1970s, began in 2005. This led to the identification of nine domains and 33 indicators, which were aggregated into a single-digit GNH Index. The first GNH Index was introduced in 2008. Since then, three nationwide representative surveys have been conducted in 2010, 2015, and 2022. The overall GNH Index has shown a gradual increase over time, but the large number of indicators allowed for an examination of more granular aspects of people's lives, helping to identify areas that require attention.

This presentation will briefly introduce the domains and indicators of the GNH Index, demonstrate how the index is calculated, and discuss ways in which the survey results are applied in public policy in Bhutan.

 

About the Speakers

Sangay Chophel (MA International Development, Nagoya University) works as a researcher at the Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies, a social science research organization based in  Thimphu. He is also the co-editor of the Journal of Bhutan Studies. He mainly conducts research on GNH, culture, community vitality, and policy issues related to Bhutan.

Jigme Phuntsho (BBA, Gedu College of Business Studies) is also a researcher at the Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies. He works under the GNH Division which is mainly responsible for organizing GNH surveys and publishing reports on GNH. He is also involved in developing the framework for GNH Certification, an assessment tool of businesses.

To receive the Zoom link for the lectures, you can register here:
hu-berlin.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/u5crcuCgqDIjGtx_dzREQ7xFoAxPprqOps9k

The Zoom room opens at 6:00 PM, and the lectures will begin at 6:15 PM.