Kathmandu: Bhutan is a small landlocked country nestled in the Himalayan mountains between China and India. The country has introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which seeks to prioritize the well-being of the Bhutanese people over economic growth.
The concept was first introduced in the early 1970s to measure the country’s progress not just in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), but also in terms of the overall well-being of its citizens. The four pillars of GNH are sustainable development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and good governance.
Overall, GNH policy, according to the officials, is grounded in the belief that true progress cannot be measured solely in terms of economic growth, but must also take into account the well-being of its citizens and the environment.
While some Bhutanese are ardent supporters of the concept, others say Bhutan should address the grievances and demands of all citizens to truly respect the idea of happiness.
Bhutan keeps the dark side of Bhutanese refugees in the Eastern part of Nepal, according to right activists. Their right to repatriation dream was to march to the India border and ended many times. After 22 years of failed march to the Bhutan movement with collaboration of UNHCR, the International Organization of Migration settled refugees into different Countries.
A group of right activists have set up the Peace Initiative Bhutan, a non-profit organization based in the United States. The organization advocates reconciliation in Bhutan through mutual trust, respect, and understanding.
The US-based journalist Arjun Pradhan talked to Suraj Budathoki, founder of PIB and a doctoral student of Transformative Social Change at Saybrook University, on the range of issues around the concept. Excerpts:
You founded Peace Initiative Bhutan (PIB). Could you tell us more about the organization and its activities?
The Peace Initiative Bhutan (PIB) is a non-profit organization based in the United States of America. Its primary goal is to establish and promote positive peace and reconciliation in Bhutan through mutual trust, respect, and understanding. PIB does not have an adversarial approach towards the Government of Bhutan, instead it seeks to find a mutually beneficial solution through sincere dialogue, compassionate listening, and active participation in a comprehensive peacebuilding process.
Every movement and approach implemented before had failed to resolve the Bhutanese refugee issue. In the first year itself, PIB took seventeen delegates to the White House, the US Department of State, and conducted dozens of high-level meetings with the United States Senators and Representatives, and staged a peaceful rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York.
We’re now focusing on the Resolution on Bhutan from the US Congress, and working on with our allies in the UN conducting a conference on Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in Bhutan and seeking a UN resolution will be our primary focus. We are also focusing on building the Peace Initiative Bhutan into a global organization by partnering with global peacebuilding organizations, bringing in peace mediators, negotiators, and activists in our organization.
Having said that, we are open for a positive engagement and dialogue with the government of Bhutan and civil society members who are inside Bhutan. Despite being exiled decades ago and having our citizenship rights deliberately stripped away, we are working positively and without resentment towards the Bhutanese government to build international support for the peace and prosperity of our native country.
Let’s talk about the concept of Gross National Happiness. What is your impression about the concept?
As a Bhutanese, I believe that while the concept of GNH theoretically emphasizes holistic development and non-material aspects of well-being, it has also been used to justify discrimination and exclusion against minorities such as the ethnic Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas. While GNH has had some positive impacts such as promoting environmental conservation and social welfare policies, it needs to address underlying structural violence, inequalities and ensure equal rights and opportunities for all Bhutanese to truly promote peace and well-being in the country. GNH is a compelling concept with the potential to effect transformative change, but it must also confront the harsh realities of the current sociopolitical and cultural landscape.
You have long been observing both the concepts of GNG and the problems of the exiled population. How does the Bhutanese government prioritize its GNH while hiding the refugee issues from the world ?
The Bhutanese government has been criticized by some in the international community for prioritizing GNH over human rights concerns, including the issues of Bhutanese refugees. While the government has taken some steps to address the issue, there is a need for further action to address the root causes of forced displacement and ensure the safe return of refugees. It is important for the government to prioritize both GNH and human rights concerns to ensure sustainable and equitable development for all Bhutanese, and to engage constructively with the international community to address ongoing Bhutanese refugees’ issues. Bhutan prioritizes GNH because they have a lot to gain out of it and apparently failed to understand and establish happiness and well-being of the vast majority of its citizens.
Bhutan claims that its GNH approach has gained international recognition. What’s your take on the matter?
It is important to note that while Bhutan’s GNH approach has gained international recognition, there are also concerns from some within the international community about human rights abuses and other issues in the country.
Some critics argue that the focus on GNH has led to an under-prioritization of human rights concerns, including the situation of Bhutanese refugees and political prisoners. It is crucial for the Bhutanese government to continue to engage constructively with the international community to address these complex and longstanding issues. It is also important for the international community to acknowledge and address these issues while recognizing the positive aspects of Bhutan’s approach to sustainable development and peace. Only through such balanced engagement and dialogue can the full potential of GNH and sustainable development be realized in Bhutan and beyond.
‘Bhutanese government has failed to guarantee the religious freedom, sociopolitical, nationality, and cultural rights of Lhotshampas.’
Peace Initiative Bhutan’s social change model, engaging with exiled Bhutanese community, international community, and global peacebuilding agencies can usher positive change in Bhutan. Exiled and suppressed Bhutanese taking constructive actions towards promoting progress, peace, and prosperity in their home country, and receiving international support, is an outstanding achievement.
How does Bhutan measure progress beyond GDP, and what challenges has the country faced in balancing economic development with environmental and social priorities?
Bhutan measures progress beyond GDP through its unique approach of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which emphasizes social, environmental, and cultural factors alongside economic development. The GNH Index includes indicators such as education, health, psychological well-being, time use, community vitality, cultural diversity and resilience, ecological diversity and resilience, living standards, and good governance. Balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits are challenges Bhutan faces. Furthermore, the country’s focus on cultural preservation and good governance requires ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity, which barely happens in Bhutan. We also safely say that due to the failure of spurring better paying jobs under GNH economic policy, thousands of well-educated Bhutanese exited Bhutan and continue to do so.
What role do young people play in Bhutan’s peace initiatives? How are they engaged in promoting sustainable development and regional cooperation?
Indeed, young Bhutanese Americans and those from inside Bhutan can play a crucial role in promoting peace and reconciliation in Bhutan, both domestically and internationally. They can leverage their unique position and networks to advance the cause of peace and sustainable development in Bhutan and the broader region.
One important way through which young Bhutanese Americans can contribute to building peace in Bhutan is by organizing and participating in international events, conferences, and forums. Through such events, they can raise awareness about the challenges facing Bhutan, including issues related to reconciliation, and Bhutanese refugee problem. By engaging with international stakeholders, they can also garner support and resources for initiatives aimed at promoting peace and sustainable development in Bhutan.
Young Bhutanese Americans can also use their networks and influence to pass resolutions from the US Congress and the UN in support of Bhutan’s peace initiatives. Such resolutions can help to highlight the importance of Bhutan’s efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development, and can also provide additional resources and support for these initiatives.
Another important role that young Bhutanese Americans can play is in working with the Government of Bhutan to build a more compassionate and just society. This can involve partnering with government agencies and NGOs to address the root causes of Bhutanese refugee issues and to promote shared prosperity for all Bhutanese citizens.
How can Bhutan’s approach to peace and well-being be applied in other contexts, such as conflict resolution or international development?
What Bhutan has now is GNH and it barely has any praxis. It seems like all tall talks, but we need to welcome that Bhutan has long been committed to promoting peace and sustainability both domestically and globally. But at the same time, its Gross National Happiness (GNH) policy excludes the vast majority of Bhutanese people, hindering the achievement of sustainable peace and happiness. The Peace Initiative Bhutan is grounded in compassion, kindness, understanding, and compassionate listening. One of its future plans is to build a society that is grounded in compassion, nonviolence, and respect for human rights. The initiative aims to address the Bhutanese refugee issue while promoting cultural preservation and diversity by building bridges and creating mutual understanding between the government of Bhutan and the Bhutanese diaspora. Bhutan needs to confront its suppressive policies that erode its people’s happiness if it wants to truly lead in happiness and peace. Bhutan can still be a model for sustainable development by translating the GNH theory into practice. Its commitment to GNH and sustainable development can inspire other nations to promote peace, sustainability, and well-being.
The peace initiative Bhutan believes in intergroup contact theory and building international organizations with officers from international communities to build sustainable peace in Bhutan through reconciliation based on mutual trust and understanding. Lastly, PIB does not believe in defeating the Government of Bhutan but finding a win-win solution where both involved parties can secure their rights and get justice.
Can you explain more about ethnic Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas in Bhutan and how PIB can advocate for the rights of the refugees?
As far as I know and have read, the Lhotshampas have a long history of advocating for peace and justice. While a few were influenced by Maoist ideology in the early 2000s and some engaged in intense resistance against the brutal suppression by the Royal government of Bhutan in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the majority of Lhotshampas lived in harmony with other ethnic groups, including Sharchops and Ngalong. However, their national identity, culture, language, and way of life were threatened by government policies, and they united to secure their fundamental rights.
‘While the concept of GNH theoretically emphasizes holistic development and non-material aspects of well-being, it has also been used to justify discrimination and exclusion against minorities such as the ethnic Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas.’
In the 1980s, Bhutan launched a campaign to promote its unique cultural identity and national unity, enforcing a “One Nation, One People” policy. As part of this policy, the government required all Bhutanese citizens to adopt the cultural practices of the majority Drukpa ethnic group, including wearing traditional dress and speaking the national language, Dzongkha. Unfortunately, the Lhotshampas, who had their own distinct culture and language, were seen as a threat to this policy. They faced discrimination, harassment, and violence at the hands of the government and majority Bhutanese population.
Even after the advent of democracy and the popular Gross National Happiness initiative, the Bhutanese government has failed to guarantee the religious freedom, sociopolitical, nationality, and cultural rights of Lhotshampas. Look no further, all of these discriminatory policies are candidly codified in the Constitution of Bhutan.
Finally, what future plans does Bhutan have for its peace initiative, and how does it envision its role in promoting global peace and sustainability?
The Peace Initiative Bhutan is an organization established by exiled Bhutanese with the aim of building sustainable peace and reconciliation in Bhutan based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding. The organization seeks positive engagement with the government of Bhutan and the responsible international community to address the ongoing Bhutanese refugee issue and structural violence in the country.
The organization also aims to engage with the international community, including Bhutan’s donor countries, the UN, the EU, and the United States government, to address the Bhutanese refugee issue and promote peace and well-being for all Bhutanese people.
Additionally, the organization aims to make Gross National Happiness (GNH) vibrant, inclusive, and relevant to address pertinent issues such as citizenship, family unification, refugee issues and political prisoners so that happiness of all Bhutanese can be ensured in a real sense.
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