GNH Europe network
We are a co-creative network of individuals and initiatives connecting around emerging projects based on the shared values of Gross National Happiness
What is GNH?
GNH explained in 3 minutes
Here is a short video that explains the concept and history of GNH.
The nine domains of GNH
GNH, Gross National Happiness is a term coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s .It is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness. It means that sustainable development should take a holistic approach to notions of progress and to give equal weight to the non-economic aspects of wellbeing expressed in totally nine domains.
The nine domains are:
– Living standard
– Health
– Education
– Good governance & leadership
– Ecological resilience
– Inner wellbeing
– Community vitality & participation
– Cultural diversity
– Time useThe network
Here are some of the GNH network pilgrims, sharing their interests and initiatives in GNH
Yannick Lapierre
GNH Center France
•Professional efficiency and human resources teacher and senior consultant, specialized in Mindfulness and Theory U
•Trained as facilitator in GNH with Tho Ha Vinh in 2013 in Bhoutan, trained at the Presencing Institute (U Theory), Boston, MIT with Otto Scharmer in 2012
•Psychotherapist (Integrative approach)
•Instructor in Mindfulness, MBSR and MBCT programs. Led more than 50 groups and retreats for all publics, managers and CEO.
Edouard Payen
GNH Center France
•Trained as facilitator in GNH with Tho Ha Vinh in 2013 in Bhutan, trained at the Presencing Institute, Boston, MIT with Otto Scharmer in 2012, trained as mindfulness instructor in mindfulness by the Center for Mindfulness, UMass in 2011.
•Edouard has introduced the GNH principles through trainings in France to 40 people.
•He is currently developing in Portugal an ecological hamlet with the objective to make it GNH compatible.
•Prior to is current activities Edouard has spent 25 years in financial institutions in New York, London
GNH Netherlands
Flo started practicing mindfulness about two years ago, through her local Wake Up group in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Her experiences led her to become interested in the impact of mindfulness on wider social change, and, more broadly, the connections between inner and outer transformation.
One outcome of her interest in this area was a trip to Bhutan, the country where they use Gross National Happiness (GNH) to measure their societal progress. This was an amazing experience, and helped her to see a solid practical example of mindfulness and happiness being deeply linked to wider social change and progress. She is keen to continue exploring these types of examples, both those inspired by GNH and those simply motivated by a desire to create more happiness and wellbeing in wider society.
She works as Communications Manager at the Network of Wellbeing (NOW). She holds an MA in Anthropology and Development from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and this is where her broader interest in wellbeing and social change begun.
Isabelle Giraldo
GNH Belgium
Isabelle Giraldo is Half Belgian, half Colombian, as a child of expat parents she travelled the world, discovering the beauty, the playfulness, the magic of nature.
An artist at heart she decided to study architecture in Brussels and for 15 years led a full life as a mother of 4 and working in construction. Her career going from creating projects to house homeless to building Malls in Doha, Qatar, witnessing the poor treatment of the workers. Growing more aware everyday of the destruction of the planet, wondering what world her children and grand-children would grow up in, she decided to leave the construction business to find a life of purpose. Thus began her journey.
After completing the Right Livelihood Certificate at Schumacher College, she started teaching mindfulness to kids and in schools.Her projects involve teaching mindfulness in schools and integrating GNH (Gross National Happiness) in education. As a creative facilitator she tries to weave back the broken fabric of our world, by teaching mindfulness, facilitating with art and nature, to reconnect people to their true self, others and Earth.
Gerhard Moser
GNH Germany
Anna Rosengren
Anna Rosengren is the chairperson and initiator of GNH Sweden. She is also an ethics consultant with focus on facilitating paradigm shifts, visionary leadership and global wellbeing.
She says:
”I come from a background of happy farmers and entrepreneurs. I have also traveled a lot, especially in Asia. In my life I have learned to handle complex situations in a natural way, while allowing great things to bloom out of nothing. I am deeply passionate about the profound happiness of all earthlings.”Stefan Kienberger
GNH Austria
Felipe Viveros
Felipe is an action researcher, strategist and consultant specialising in campaigning, program design and fundraising.
He has worked with governments and organisations globally, and is currently Head of Social Change at 42 ACRES.
He has been appointed Chair of The Rules a global network of activists, coders, researchers and artists addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality and climate change.
For the past two years he has served as the European representative of GNH Centre Bhutan, a pioneering NGO, prototyping and implementing a new economic development paradigm.
Felipe is known as a leading campaigner for indigenous people's and environmental rights. He founded the Black Line Initiative, a ground-breaking indigenous people’s consultancy with the Kogi of Colombia. Felipe is a member of the UNHarmony with Nature initiative and holds an MSc in Holistic Science from Schumacher College, Plymouth University.
from the community
August 13, 2017In Bhutan, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of connection, interdependence and...November 23, 2015It was nearly a year ago when not being really sure of what it was that I needed at the time, but...Upcoming events and workshops
Evens in Europe around the values of GNH
Brussels - 28/29 April 2018
Interweaving inner and outer transition - lessons from GNH in Bhutan.
An evening confluence + 1 day deepening workshop on GNH.
In partnership with Emergences asbl and La Tricoterie
France - à partir du 24/25 mars
Le Centre BNB France propose un parcours de formation par étapes.
Ce parcours a été construit en collaboration avec le GNH du Bhoutan et reprend donc les bases des principes édictés et mis en application depuis 1972 puis adapté aux pays occidentaux.Sweden - starting 9/10 March 2018
What if you and your organization would contribute to global natural harmony?
What if you would leverage your human capacity more than you ever imagined?
What might be possible if you and your team spent one year in total transformation?
Videos
Ted Talk from Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay
For those who would like to have a deeper view on Bhutan and GNH
Deep in the Himalayas, on the border between China and India, lies the Kingdom of Bhutan, which has pledged to remain carbon neutral for all time. In this illuminating talk, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay shares his country's mission to put happiness before economic growth and set a world standard for environmental preservation.
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about GNH and our initiatives, please drop us a note.
© 2017