An international symposium was held  June 1st - 6th 2024 in Bhutan on the topic of 'Reimagining Education: From a Gross National Happiness Perspective'.

The Gross National Values included in Gross National Happiness Education (GNHE) include deep critical and creative thinking, ecological literacy, practice of the country’s profound ancient wisdom and culture, contemplative learning, a holistic understanding of the world, genuine care for nature and for others, competency to deal effectively with the modern world, preparation for right livelihood, and informed civic engagement. Many of the internal capacities that Sir John Templeton believed held the key to a better world are enshrined in the GNH Index.

The goals of the symposium included:

• Establishing a comprehensive academic dialogue that explores the impact, interest, and experiences of GNHE on a global scale, inviting leaders, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world.
• Fostering a global discourse that not only explores, but also actively promotes an educational paradigm grounded in GNH perspectives. This paradigm seeks wisdom, vitality, and purpose in education, recognizing the challenges the modern world poses to both educators and learners.
• Translating the GNH paradigm into tangible, practical approaches applicable to school leaders, educators, and students alike.
• Bridging the gap between lofty policy statements, noble visions, and the often challenging realities on the ground, ensuring more effective implementation of GNH principles in education.
• Strengthening the scientific evidence supporting holistic education for the development of the whole child and human flourishing, firmly rooted in GNH principles.
• Showcasing and exploring best practices in the implementation of GNH principles in various aspects of education, including school leadership, teacher training, curriculum design, school culture and climate, pedagogy, and educational evaluation.
• Facilitating collaboration with relevant institutions and organizations worldwide to strengthen the global promotion of GNHE and creating a network dedicated to advancing these principles at the international level.

Image: REUTERS/Singye Wangchuk