“World Views Make a Difference- Towards Global Transformation” was the theme for the 3rd GNH Conference which was held from the 22nd till the 28th of November 2007 in Nongkhai-Bangkok, Thailand. Organized by the Center of Bhutan Studies in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, National Health Commission and Japan Foundation of Thailand, the GNH Conference comprised a Cultural Programme and an Academic Session.
The Cultural Programme in Nongkhai was attended by youth representatives from 13 countries. The Academic Session held in Chulalongkorn University gathered about 300 participants from different parts of the world. The Academic session included many programmes like presentation of research papers, workshop sessions, panel discussions, etc. At the conference, SNV Bhutan was represented by Anne Marie Schreven, Sr. OD Specialist and by Tshering Choden, Jr.OD Specialist, along with two clients from the Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan.
A research paper on Good Governance and Gross National Happiness-A Civil Service Reform, towards achieving GNH, was submitted by Anne Marie Schreven and Bachu Phub Dorji, Chief Planning Officer of the Royal Civil Service Commission. The paper was accepted under the Governance Theme which was presented in the Academic Session. The presentation highlighted the Civil Service Reform as one of the objectives of Good Governance in pursuit of GNH. To promote decentralization of authority and responsibilities to district and block level, to promote people’s participation in the decision making process of socio-economic development, to promote people’s participation in the introduction of a Constitutional Democracy form of Government and to enhance the capacities of civil servants in delivery of high quality services to the citizens are some of the purposes of the Reform. Introduction of Organizational Development Exercise was presented as a Major Civil Service Reform by changing the roles of civil servants to public servants, from service provider to service regulator, from quantity to quality and increased responsibility and accountability. Due to the Organisational Development Exercise, assessments of all government organizations were done to improve the quality of services, which would result in satisfied customers/citizens which means the wellbeing of the people, thereby contributing to GNH.
Simultaneous presentations of research papers took place on the various themes- Global Standards and Local Diversity, Minds and Visions, Inner transformation and Social transformation, Living Standards, Education, Ecological Diversity and Resilience, Cultural Diversity and Resilience, Community Vitality, Health and Psychological Wellbeing, Time Use and Balance, Communications and Technology. Workshops and panel discussions were based on these themes.
The Conference concluded with experience sharing from participants on how the 3rd GNH Conference enriched their attitude towards Happiness. Deliberations on the importance of influencing policy makers and implementers to imbibe the concept of Gross National Happiness were one of the highlights of the closing session. The organizers also took the opportunity to invite feedback on logistical and content issues to improve the planning of the next conference. The conference ended with a happy note and a promise to continue the GNH movement forward.