THE regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) will hold a lecture and discussion about the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) today at Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) with no less than Bhutan’s happiness guru.
BFAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Isabelo R. Montejo said that they have Dr. Saamdu Chetri, executive director of GNH index from Bhutan who will initiate talk about Bhutan's model of measuring the GNH index which gives an equal importance to non-economic aspects of well-being in quantifying the social and national progress.
The GNH implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress. It is the idea of GNH, which is explained by its four pillars namely good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
The undertaking aims to inspire Filipinos to find a balance between materialistic and non-materialistic aspects of life, and other factors that are vital to human happiness.
The GNH is said to be more of a human development approach than a material approach.
In the afternoon, there will be an action planning workshop to develop an area-based action plan integrating the concepts, strategies and practices of GNH.
The activity will be attended by governors, local government units (LGUs), Civic Society Organization (CSO), Presidential offices (POs) and the academe.
Environment Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez will also be present during the event. There will be lecture and discussion including inputs on social, entrepreneurship, planting and marketing Bamboo and other high-value crops (coffee, cacao), and protecting mangroves and marine resources.
Lopez expressed hopes the lectures will lead to the crafting of an action plan by leaders of various sectors and organizations in the priority areas based on the principles of GNH.