Reimagining Education from a Gross National Happiness Perspective: The 2024 Paro International Symposium

Set against the serene backdrop of Bhutan, the “Paro 2024 International Symposium: Reimagining Education from a GNH Perspective” marks a defining moment in the global educational landscape. The World Happiness Foundation, in collaboration with a consortium of prestigious institutions, is proud to host this symposium from June 1-6, 2024, at the Paro College of Education.

Symposium’s Core Objective

This international gathering aims to redefine the educational paradigm, drawing inspiration from Bhutan’s pioneering Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework. GNH advocates for a balanced approach that harmonizes materialistic progress with sustainable and equitable human development, focusing on holistic well-being.

Addressing the Need for Educational Transformation

Despite the innovative strides of Bhutan’s “Educating for GNH” initiative, challenges in implementation have highlighted the need for a renewed academic dialogue. This symposium serves as a catalyst to reinvigorate and expand the GNH-based education framework, integrating it more profoundly into global educational practices.

A Gathering of Global Educational Leaders

The symposium boasts an impressive lineup of speakers and contributors, reflecting its international stature and multidisciplinary approach:

• Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills, OECD, Paris. Andreas Schleicher
• Professor Mark Greenberg, Professor Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, Co-founder of CASEL, USA. Mark Greenberg
• Professor Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Rector, Islamic University, Malaysia.
• Dr. Dorji Thinley, President, Paro College of Education, Bhutan. Paro college of education
• Dr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Deputy Minister of Education, Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Professor Yael (Yuli) Tamir, President of Beit Berl College, former Minister of Education, Israel.
• Dr. Tho Ha Vinh, former Program Director of the GNH Center, Bhutan, and Co-founder of Eurasia Foundation, Vietnam. Tho Ha Vinh PhD
• Dr. Craig Elevitch, Program Director, Academy of Himalayan Art & Child Development, Hawaii.
• Luis Gallardo, Founder and President of World Happiness Foundation.

The International Organizing Committee

The committee, responsible for steering this symposium towards success, includes:

• Dasho Nidup Dorji, Vice Chancellor, Royal University of Bhutan.
• Ms. Karma Tshering, Registrar, Office of the Vice Chancellor, RUB, Bhutan.
• Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso, President, College of Language and Cultural Studies, Bhutan.
• Dr. Kezang Sherab, Paro College of Education, Bhutan.
• **Dr.

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