01 February 2019, Thimphu: With the theme of “bringing forward the leader in you” a 5-day workshop GNH Youth Leadership Programme (GYLP) concluded today. Organized by the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan, the Programme saw the participation of about 35 students from various colleges to gain deeper understanding of GNH values along with compassion and wisdom and to learn about leadership skills. The workshop started from 28^th January and was held at the BMCI (Bhutan Media and Communications Institute) conference hall.

During the workshop, the students were encouraged to create their own GNH Project Prototype aimed at augmenting and deliberating on any of the facets of GNH. Those project ideas were presented and shared with the GNHCB.

Students, who were divided into groups, presented on various topics and explored their links to GNH. Some of the students, for instance, proposed an activity of organizing mindfulness practice in their college. Other students said that their respective colleges should come up with clubs or groups that promotes GNH and organizes activities in line with the values of GNH. Others envisioned the possibility of establishing various projects in line with environmental conservation such as curtailing the use of plastics and coming up instead with bags made up of cloths.

The workshop also saw that the participants are exposed to the conditions pertaining to leadership and making mindful choices in life. Various presentations were delivered by GNHCB staffs and guest speakers on relevant subjects. Aum Phuntsho Lham, the Chief of Education Monitoring Division, Department of School Education under the Ministry of Education spoke on “Educating for GNH” and how the values of GNH are being infused in education, while Ms. Tshering Lham, Legal Assistant with the Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency (BNCA) delivered an insightful presentation on substance abuse and its legal implications. “Live life intelligently, say no to drugs,” she said as her core message to the youth.

Ms. Pushpa Chhetri, the co-founder of the Bhutan Media and Communication Institute spoke on topics such as social entrepreneurship and GNH & business. Similarly, the team members from GNHCB presented on mindfulness, importance of GNH, lessons for future leaders and communications skills for leaders, among others.

“I am really privileged having this opportunity to attend this workshop organized by GNH Centre Bhutan,” said Pema Lethro, a participant from the College of Language and Culture Studies in Trongsa. “The programme was beneficial to me in various ways. I learnt important things such as communication skills and also gained expert knowledge on various subjects. I also learnt networking skills with others and renewed my motivation and confidence.”

“Our goal for this programme was to help youth understand the values of GNH in greater depth and also help them become better equipped for the future, become national ambassadors on GNH as they will all soon embark on a journey of being leaders. There is a need for every Bhutanese to understand the importance of GNH in today’s world,” Sonam Tsoki Tenzin, Director, GNHCB said.

The GYLP workshops are intended to groom, guide and make the young Bhutanese realize their potential as future leaders. The GNHCB hopes to support the projects to create an applicable and viable programme to the benefit of youths and general public.