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. Robert W. Roeser, Pennsylvania State University, USA.
• Dr. Nimrod Sheinman, Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Israel.
• Ms. Jamyang Dolma, Academy of Himalayan Art & Child Development, Hawaii.
• Luis Gallardo, Founder and President of World Happiness Foundation, Florida, USA.
• Tim Huang, Head Wellbeing, ELC School, Thimphu, Bhutan.

The Symposium’s Vision and Approach

Participants will engage in rich discussions around developing a GNH-based education model that fosters holistic, humanistic, and sustainable learning. The symposium will address the limitations of the current mainstream education system and envision global shifts necessary for educational transformation.

A Milestone Development

In an exciting development, the OECD’s PISA survey, now inspired by GNH indicators, will expand its focus to include students’ well-being assessments. This innovative approach, championing Bhutan’s GNH philosophy, is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of holistic education.

A Call for Global Educational Renaissance

The Paro 2024 International Symposium is more than an event; it’s a movement towards redefining education through the lens of GNH. It’s an opportunity to unite diverse educational perspectives and ignite a worldwide inquiry into creating educational systems that prioritize wholeness, wisdom, heart, and human well-being.

We invite educators, innovators, policymakers, and activists from around the globe to join us in this pivotal endeavor. Together, let’s reshape the future of education, making it more responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the holistic development of all individuals.

Join us in Paro, Bhutan, for this transformative symposium and be a part of the global educational renaissance. https://www.pce.edu.bt/gnheducation.symposium

Learn more about the #SchoolsofHappiness Program at the World Happiness Foundation https://worldhappinessacademy2.com/escuelasdefelicidadhome

Join our community of Chief Well-Being Officers co-creating happytalism. Find your bē. https://www.worldhappiness.academy/courses/Chief-Mental-and-Physical-Wellbeing-Officer

Apply for a Scholarship to the Chief Well-Being Officer Program. https://forms.gle/6PfnFAUQJ39RC4Rv7

#worldhappiness #vamos #be #happytalism #happytalismo #consciousness #happiness #peace #consciousness #fundamentalpeace #stopviolence #stopwar #gratitude #research #work #love #art #people #travel #change #power #CWO #respect #kindness #empathy #leadership #burnout ICF South Florida Charter Chapter Wellness Coach LifeGuides

World Happiness Fest – bēCREATION World Happiness Foundation United Nations UNESCO World Health Organization WHO Foundation

Florida International University Florida International University – College of Business