Ever wondered what Bhutan was like over one hundred years ago? In 1914, National Geographic published its first article about the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan: an account of explorations and surveys by John Claude White, a British Raj administrator and an accomplished amateur photographer. – Castles in the Air: Experiences and Journeys in Unknown Bhutan.
Photograph by John Claude White
Today National Geographic continues to feature Bhutan as a […]

Inspired by Happy Bhutan, BCF teacher Sarah Diamond and students from Tshangkha Lower Secondary School completed a video for their schools variety show! The intention was to celebrate the school’s beauty and build relationships within the school community. Showing off some light-hearted aspects of school life in the midst of some intense exam preparation!

Check out Sarah’s blog Sarah Out and Abhut and her video here!

An eventful year ahead indeed! The Royal Government of Bhutan has declared 2015 as Visit Bhutan Year to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Bhutan will also commemorate the events by observing National Reading Year to develop a national reading strategy to instil a healthy reading habit by establishing e-Libraries in all Districts.

Learn more about what Bhutan has planned for the […]

From the Nation of Gross National Happiness comes a video that is bound to make you smile and maybe even dance! Check out this video that the people of Bhutan created to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy.

In other happy news, Bhutan is to host an International Happiness Conference in 2015. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has said that “It is a gratifying and humble experience for Bhutan to be at the center stage of the world for its development policy of GNH.”
Have a […]

In 2007, artist Jonathan Harris travelled to Bhutan to explore the Gross National Happiness paradigm. Balloons of Bhutan documents his effort to capture “a portrait of happiness in the last Himalayan kingdom” through breathtaking and inspiring photos and videos, catalogued on an interactive multimedia website.

Harris asked 117 people of various ages and backgrounds, five questions pertaining to happiness: what makes them happy, […]

Today we have decided to feature a little book about a concept close to our heart called Gross National Happiness. Simply stated in the book’s synopsis, “What we can learn from a country where Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product?” The book offers 15 keys to happiness amongst its chapters of inspirational quotations reflecting the unique and colourful country of Bhutan, a country that embraces “compassion, understanding and kindness”. Here are 15 keys to happiness, and if you […]

David Suzuki,  Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, and award-winning scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster, will be travelling to Bhutan in March 2013 and is a staunch advocate for the concept of Gross National Happiness.
In his November newsletter, Dr. Suzuki emphasises the importance of looking beyond GDP and take into consideration other markers, including societal well-being and environmental conservation.

Photo Credit: David Suzuki Foundation.

“We’ve measured our well-being by tracking gross domestic product since the mid-1940s. But spending money on things […]

Wildsight Invermere is proud to host Dasho Kinley Dorji, a journalist and government official from the Himalayan nation of Bhutan. His presentation, Within the Realm of Happiness: a Himalayan Perspective, will take place on Monday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Invermere Community Hall.
Tickets are $12, and $6 for students, available at Circle Health Foods, The Book Bar and online here.

Bhutan, a country most people have never heard of, is unique for […]

Photo Credit: Blue Moon Fund

As Bhutan grows, it is trying to find ways to develop economically, but through the lens of Gross National Happiness.

One American entrepreneur has been assisting Bhutan with this task – by growing and exporting hazelnuts in Eastern Bhutan. Using idle and unfit farmland, his team teaches Bhutanese farmers in isolated villages how to properly grow and care for the trees. 

The project is having great success so far, in fact “the government says it […]

As we hi-lighted last week (Gross National Happiness Takes Center Stage), Bhutan and in particular, Gross National Happiness, is becoming more prominent on the wold stage. Beginning on April 2, hundreds of representatives from government, academics and other civic leaders around the world met at the United Nations for a high level meeting on the importance of incorporating social issues, environmental well-being and sustainability into economic policy.

“Happiness and Well Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” at […]