The Suja & Dzaw Conversation on the 19th (spring) issue of the Druk Journal, themed “An Era of Transformation,” took place on 20th June 2024. The event convened about 40 participants, including civil servants, development partners, researchers, educators, students, former parliament members, and entrepreneurs. The conversation featured insights from four contributors to the journal: Philip Schellekens (Chief Economist, UNDP), Katsu Masaki (Faculty Member, Konan University, Japan), Namgyal T. Gyaltshen (Analyst, Druk Holding & Investment), and Tshering Nidup (Programme Lead, Druk Gyalpo’s Institute). The discussion was moderated by the Editor of the Druk Journal, Dasho Kinley Dorji.

Speaker 1: Namgyal T Gyaltshen from DHI (Druk Holding and Investment) emphasised the pivotal role of technology and digital governance in Bhutan’s future. She discussed how the adoption of technology can serve as a new pathway for economic growth and enhanced governance. Key points included the necessity of ensuring inclusive access to technology to prevent societal divides. She highlighted the challenges that need addressing, such as improving infrastructure and connectivity to fully leverage technological advancements.

Speaker 2: Katsu Masaki focused on the importance of community in Bhutan’s development. He advocated for integrating community-based projects, including cooperatives and private investments in local resources to achieve equitable development. Masaki stressed the need for Bhutan to incorporate indigenous knowledge and practices alongside modern advancements. This approach aligns with Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) principles, promoting a balanced and inclusive development model.

Speaker 3: Philip Schellekens from UNDP underscored the existential challenges Bhutan faces, such as bridging disparities, addressing job insecurity, and meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite past progress, Bhutan must adopt innovative and inclusive approaches to tackle future uncertainties, including climate change and economic turbulence. He also highlighted the importance of involving the Bhutanese diaspora in the country’s development efforts to harness their potential contributions.

Speaker 4: Tshering Nidup from the Druk Gyalpo’s Institute discussed the Bhutan Baccalaureate system, which aims to provide a holistic education model rooted in Bhutanese values. He emphasised the need to integrate humanities with STEM education and break down educational silos to foster collaborative learning environments. Tshering stressed the importance of transforming the current education system to reflect His Majesty’s vision and address real-world issues effectively. The conversation yielded several key recommendations and suggestions from both the speakers and the audience:

● Creating Supportive Learning Environments: There was a strong emphasis on fostering supportive learning environments for individuals of all ages. The discussions highlighted the importance of learning from neuroplasticity to determine education across all age groups and the need for educational approaches tailored to diverse learning needs.

● Reforming Educational Content: The discussions underscored the discrepancies between the current educational content and the progressive objectives of the Bhutan Baccalaureate. A specific concern raised by an audience member was the presence of outdated gender stereotypes in textbooks, which urgently require revision. Another suggestion was how to share the approach of the Bhutan Baccalaureate across schools.

● Enhancing Infrastructure and Connectivity: A consensus emerged on the necessity of improving infrastructure and connectivity to bolster Bhutan’s technological progress and ensure growth is inclusive.

● Promoting Inclusive Technological Growth: The focus was on ensuring that technological advancements are inclusive and benefit all segments of society, aiming to reduce existing inequalities. For example, how will technology support language needs (e.g. Dzongkha language)?

● Advancing Community Development: Effective community engagement demands a thorough understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural areas. Emphasising “creative tension” and adopting tailored approaches to local contextual needs were identified as key drivers for sustainable community development. There was discussion on the need not to forget the community self-help spirit while developing business opportunities.

● Governance as the key to sustainable development: The future is expected to be more turbulent than it has been, and Bhutan, like many countries, is behind in achieving the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) targets. Governance and leadership are critical to achieving Bhutan’s vision. A point of view says that 80% of the development challenge before us is not an economic problem, it’s a governance challenge. And that is what Bhutan now needs to focus on.

● New strategies are needed to bridge the gap between achievement and aspiration: Bhutan will need to offer better opportunities for economic growth, and especially job creation of the right kind. Not just any job, but jobs that offer an upward potential. There is a call to re-strategise the strategy to reduce the vast agenda before Bhutan into something more manageable by focusing on the most critical issues so as to increase the chance of implementation. The challenge now is to have a continuous implementation, consistent implementation, and comprehensive and coordinated implementation.

● Connection with the Bhutanese diaspora: Bhutan can benefit from the growing connections with the overseas population. The inclusion of the Bhutanese diaspora was acknowledged for Bhutan’s vision to be realised. The diaspora can be a source of innovation and a source of inspiration for what needs to change in the country.

● Insights into the National Digital Identity (NDI) System: A representative from DHI provided insights into the NDI system, highlighting its blockchain-based security and the potential for individuals to control their data. The speaker addressed concerns about the security and inclusivity of the NDI, noting ongoing efforts to enhance the technology and broaden its reach. Feedback was provided on the NDI.

● Reflections on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Mindfulness: An audience member shared personal reflections on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and mindfulness, expressing gratitude for the discussions on incorporating these concepts into community development. The importance of such forums for engaging in meaningful conversations about Bhutan’s future direction was emphasised. Looking ahead, the second conversation on the latest issue of The Druk Journal is scheduled to take place at Samtse College of Education (SCE) in August 2024.

Read the transcript of the conversation on An Era of Transformation here

Background:
The Druk Journal is a journal of thoughts and ideas focussing on issues of importance to Bhutan. Each edition of the journal is accompanied by conversations on the theme– with an aim to trigger public discourse on matters of importance. This current issue of the journal
“An Era of Transformation” has been released and widely distributed across the country. Past issues have covered National Identity, Modernity, Youth matters and Youth aspirations, concerns, and mandates, Transforming the Economy, Post-Covid Bhutan, Democracy
Today, etc. Our issues for 2022 were on Democracy today, Local Government, and Politics and Elections in Bhutan.

You may order these past issues and also subscribe for a copy of the journal at the website www.drukjournal.bt. Copies are available in the Thimphu public library, college libraries, and high schools.