In collaboration with the Small Giants Academy, a diverse group of 17 participants embarked on an immersive exploration of the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) organized by the GNH Centre Bhutan.

The ten-day workshop centered around deepening their understanding of integrated leadership, systems-change thinking, and the pursuit of happiness and purpose, all guided by the Four Pillars of GNH: Good Governance, Preservation & Promotion of Culture, Ecological Sustainability, and Socio-Economic Development.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in a series of thought-provoking sessions, including:

A dialogue with Former Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley on Bhutan’s GNH journey and its evolution.

Bhutan’s experience with Good Governance with Secretary General Dasho Duba at the National Assembly, followed by a Q&A session with National Assembly Speaker Lungten Dorji.

A visit to the GNH Centre Bhutan, where they explored the philosophy and practical applications of GNH.

An interactive session on Wellbeing in Action at Jigme Namgyel Lower Secondary School, where educators and students demonstrated real-world applications of GNH principles in Bhutan’s education system.

A special audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Kesang Chodren Wangchuck, President of the GNH Centre Bhutan.

A hike to Dodeydrak, where participants engaged with the principal on the role of meditation and mindfulness in Buddhism, discussing how these practices can be meaningfully integrated into daily life.

Side Event: Introduction to GNH 2.0 The Gelephu Mindfulness City

An insightful discussion unfolded about Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) and its relevance to GNH. Mr. Rabsel Dorji, Chief Communication Officer at GMC, emphasized Bhutan’s long-standing prioritization of four pillars of GNH - good governance, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation while recognizing that the fourth pillar needed greater improvement and effort on sustainable socio-economic development.

He said, “The foundational design principles of GMC are firmly rooted in GNH.”

Mr. Rabsel Dorji said that Bhutan, known for its mindfulness-centered approach to governance, is uniquely positioned to give rise to a Mindfulness City which will be more dynamic, ambitious, and adaptable than traditional Bhutanese economic models but will remain inherently Bhutanese. The true measure of success is not just making GMC thrive but ensuring Bhutan as a whole prospers while remaining true to its identity.

IMPACT

The Impact Safari 2025 saw 17 participants primarily from Australia, USA, Germany, Israel and Ireland participate in this transformative experience, blending elements of a study tour with leadership immersion. Through a holistic head, heart, and hands approach, participants gain a deep understanding of GNH in action. This initiative, a collaboration between Small Giants Australia and the GNH Centre Bhutan, fosters lifelong connections among a global community of impact-driven leaders.

Since its inception in 2018, nearly 100 participants have engaged in this annual enriching ten-day program, broadening their perspectives and strengthening their commitment to driving meaningful change, a testament to the growing impact of Gross National Happiness worldwide.

The GNH Centre Bhutan aims to organize similar events on a quarterly basis with different partners.