International Day of Happiness - March 20 The symbolism of bringing happiness and peace to all sentient beings (including non-human beings) plays a key role in defining how Bhutanese live their lives. It encompasses emotional, spiritual, cultural, economic concerns, etc, that constitute individual happiness. Since the beginning of the Five Year Plans in the 1960s this concept has pervaded into the development policy of Bhutan. In 1971, when Bhutan joined the UN, the prominence of wellbeing and happiness was highlighted. Similarly, HM the 4th King, in the early years of his reign, declared that our country’s policy is to consolidate our sovereignty to achieve economic self-reliance, prosperity and happiness for our country and people. Consequently, in the early 1970s and in late 1980s, HM the King introduced his vision for Bhutan by enunciating the concept of happiness by declaring: GNH is more important than GDP, whereby happiness takes precedence over economic prosperity in the national development. The concept of GNH is human centered, as it places the individual at the centre of all development efforts and recognizes that material, spiritual and emotional needs of the individual must be fulfilled. So the development efforts have been directed towards fulfilling these needs rather than material needs only. However, many questions needs to be asked: Has Bhutanese people become more content and happier than before or become more materialistic and unhappier? If GNH is unique and a powerful development philosophy or a common sense, then, does this common sense put into practice? or Is GNH an elitist and remained within the domain of the academic discourse or Is GNH a practical approach to addressing the developmental need of Bhutan at this point in time, etc, etc, ???? Many questions but fewer answers!! HAPPINESS: A GLOBAL PRIORITY A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are now recognizing that progress should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy. All 193 United Nations member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority and March 20 has been declared as the International Day of Happiness. - dayofhappiness.net/about/ HAPPINESS AT THE UNITED NATIONS In July 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a groundbreaking resolution which recognised happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes... happiness and well-being of all peoples”. In April 2012 the first ever UN conference on Happiness took place in New York and in July 2012 the UN General Assembly adopted a further resolution which decreed that the International Day of Happiness was to be observed every year on 20 March. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013. _dayofhappiness.net/about/
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:11:17 +0000
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