GNH: Concept and Operationalization:
Presented to the Consultative workshop on Measuring Progress in Post-2015 Development
Framework : Environmental Performance Indicators and Environmental Welfare Indicators
10-12 December 2013, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 2
Outline
GNH – An Introduction1
GNH – Index/survey findings and its Application GNH Policy Screening Tool – Its Application & GECDP Mainstreaming
Conclusion - Questions
2
3
4
GNH is a “development approach that seeks to achieve a harmonious balance between material
well-being and the spiritual, emotional and cultural needs of our society.”
GNH is based on the belief that since happiness is the ultimate desire of every citizen, it must be the
purpose of development to create the enabling conditions for happiness
GNH based on four pillars: 1. Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development,
2.Enivronmental Conservation, 3.Preservation and Promotion of Culture and 4. Good Governance
The Four Pillars are Specified by Nine Dimensions
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 3
What is Gross National Happiness (GNH)?
“Bhutan’s journey with GNH began more than four decades ago and more elaborate and precise metrics to measure GNH has been underway
since 2008”
Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) created to mainstream GNH
GNH indicators and Policy Screening Tools developed
GNH Survey carried out every three years to assess our journey towards GNH
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 4
How is GNH Operationalized?
“A composite statistic to measure Bhutan’s progress in enhancing the happiness of the people based on a holistic framework made
up of 9 domains and 33 indicators”
The GNH Index, its domains and indicators will be used to guide Bhutan’s development :
draw attention to areas that need to be addressed, basis for resource allocation etc.mainstream GNH into new policies & plans by screening the policies and projects using the GNH Policy and Project Screening Tools (PST)
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 5
What is GNH Index?
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GNH
Living Standard•Assets•Housing•Household per capita income
PWB•Life satisfaction
•Positive emotions
•Negative emotions
•Spirituality
Time Use• Work• Sleep
Education•Literacy•Schooling•Knowledge•Value
Culture•Speak native Language
•Cultural Participation
•Artistic Skills
•Driglam Namzha
GG•Gov’t performance
•Fundamental rights
•Services•Political Participation
Comm Vitality•Donations (time & money)
•Community relationship
•Family•Safety
Eco Diversity •Ecological Issues
•Responsibility towards environment
•Wildlife damage (Rural)
•Urbanization issues
Health•Mental health
•Self reported health status
•Healthy days
•Disability
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
%People enjoying sufficiency in each indicator as per 2010 GNH Survey
Value
Spea
k na
tive
lang
uage
Disabi
lity
Urban
izatio
n iss
ues
Life
sat
isfac
tion
Health
y da
ys
Self
repo
rted
heal
th sta
tus
Slee
p
Comm
unity
rela
tions
hip
Artisa
n sk
ills
Posit
ive
emot
ions
Polit
ical p
artic
ipat
ion
Spiri
tual
ity
Housin
gW
ork
Scho
olin
g
Know
ledg
e0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100% Bhutanese enjoy highest sufficiency in values, safety, native language, family, mental health, etc.
The indicators in which Bhutanese lack sufficiency are knowledge, participation in festivals, schooling, donations, literacy and housing.
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Of the nine domains, Bhutanese have the most sufficiency in health, followed by ecology, and psychological wellbeing but lacks in GG and Education
Urban areas do better in health, living standards and education, but lacks sufficiency in GG and community vitality. conversely Rural areas do better in community vitality, cultural resilience, and good governance but lacks sufficiency mainly in education and living standards
Happiness is higher among people with a primary education or above than among those with no formal education, but higher education does not affect GNH very much
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Some Key Findings (GNH 2010 Survey)
Unmarried people and young people are among the happiest
The ranking of Dzongkhags by GNH differs significantly from their ranking by income and multidimensional poverty. Zhemgang for example, do far better in GNH than in income.
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Key Findings contd.
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GNH Index by Dzongkhag
Sufficiency Threshold◦ Shows how much is needed to enjoy sufficiency in
each of the 33 indicators Happiness Threshold
◦ 50%, 66%, 77%◦ Unhappy, narrowly happy, extensively happy, and
deeply happy◦ 41% of the population under 66%
.
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Thresholds
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 13
Case Example – Accordingly 2010 GNH Survey Thimphu and other urban areas are behind in CV as compared to the rural areas
COMMUNITY VITALITY
RURAL PLACES URBAN PLACES
Policy and program response from the Government:• Establishment of recreation centers, children’s parks,
Mani Dungkhors etc• Eg: centenary park at Changlimithang, Chanjiji etc
According to 2010 GNH Survey results
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 14
Knowledge of Tsechu and Masked Dances
Possible policy and program responses by the Government:• more culture content in education• national and local holidays to promote attendance at
these festivals
34.96%
46.84%
18.21%
Poor
A verage
Good
The GNH Policy Screening Tool
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
WHAT IS GNH POLICY SCREENING TOOLS?
The GNH policy screening tools is an application to assess/review all draft policies through a GNH Lens
NOT- the determining factor for approving/endorsing a policy
Specific recommendations and feedback to review the policy within nine GNH domains
What is it?
What does it provide
?
What is it not?
Linkage Between Variables and GNH Indicators
22 variables1. Equity2. Economic Security3. Material wellbeing4. Engagement in productive
activities5. Decision-making opportunity6. Anti Corruption7. Legal Recourse8. Rights9. Gender 10. Transparency11. Skills and Learning12. Public Health13. Water and Air Pollution14. Land degradation15. Bio-Diversity Health16. Social support17. Family Interaction18. Leisure19. Culture20. Values21. Spiritual pursuits22. Stress
9 GNH Domains1. Living standard2. Good Governance3. Education4. Health5. Ecology6. Community vitality7. Time use and balance8. Culture9. Psychological wellbeing
151 variables
(2010 survey)
1 2 3 4
Negative Uncertain Neutral/Not Applicable
Positive
Rationale and Mitigation/Alterna
tives Rationale
Rationale
Calculation
1. A heterogeneous group comprising of people with skills/qualifications in various areas is formed.
2. Effort are made to ensure NCWC,RUB, and NEC are present for all screening exercises. Rest of the group dependent on the draft policy being discussed.
3. Transparent: No limitations who can participate.4. Try to have a minimum of 15 participants.5. Representatives of the proponent sector presents the draft policy to the
screening group. 6. Screening conducted during a joint sitting in the past, however shifted to
individual screenings.7. Results submitted to RED, Consolidated and Presented to the GNH
Commission.
Screening Process
1. Experiences from Field Testing – GNH Policy Screening Tools
Bhutan’s Accession to WTO
Voting based on discussions among 24 GNHCS officers
• Results: 19 for joining WTO – 5 against
GNH Policy Screening Tools used by the same 24 GNHCS officers
• Results: 19 against joining WTO – 5 for •Conclusion: Policy is Not GNH Favorable
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 21
Policies screened using PPST
21Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Approved Policies
NHRD Policy 2010Tertiary Education Policy 2010National Irrigation Policy 2011National Health Policy 2011National Youth Policy 2011RNR Research Policy 2011CSMI Policy 2012Thromde Finance Policy 2012
Draft Policies
Mineral Development PolicyMSME PolicyNational Education PolicyNational OHS PolicyNational Population PolicyFNS Policy
An Example: The Mineral Development Policy
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
Policy Screening Tool:Application
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 23
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
2.80
3.47 3.47 3.47
3.07
2.27
3.13
2.87
2.40
3.33
3.60
2.402.20
2.33 2.33
3.27
2.932.73 2.67
2.87
2.60 2.53
Variable Scores (GNHC): Mineral Development Policy
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 24
Livin
g st
anda
rd
Good
Gover
nanc
e
Educ
atio
n
Health
Ecol
ogy
Comm
unity
Vita
lity
Tim
e Use
and
Bal
ance
Cultu
re
Psyc
holo
gica
l Wel
lbei
ng0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
3.3
2.8
3.6
2.42.3
3.1
2.7 2.82.6
Domain Scores GNHC: Mineral Development Pol-icy
Rationales◦ No specific provision◦ Mining activities may favor men over women◦ Women may suffer indirectly (separation)
Alternatives/Mitigation Measure◦ May need specific provisions on the advancement
of gender equality (preference could be given to women for specific jobs)
◦ Promote female participation in HRD◦ Awareness on health and sexual issues
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 25
Rationale and Alternatives Example:Gender
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 26
Rationale and Alternatives Example:Gender
• Rationales– Mining will never be 100% clean– No limit on number of mines– Increased mining activities will lead to increased
green-house gas emissions, use of fossil fuels, water a
• Alternatives/Mitigation Measure– Strategic Assessment of the mining master plan
needed– May need to zone areas for mining operations– Need to review costing methods of mineral
resources
Based on the Following Rationales: Mainstreaming has to take place throughout the
policy and planning process from formulation to implementation for reasons of sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency (assuming the process itself is fairly good)
Need to take a holistic view Need to be Proactive Everyone is responsible The ‘Stage or Level’ within the process determines
what action should be taken and associated indicators
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GECDP Mainstreaming
Based on the Following Rationales: The actions taken are ‘interconnected’ and
‘inter-dependent’ Individual actions may contribute towards
GECDP Goals, but it would not be ‘sufficient’
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GECDP Mainstreaming Rationales Contd.:
Based on the Following Rationales: The actions taken are ‘interconnected’ and
‘inter-dependent’ Individual actions may contribute towards
GECDP Goals, but it would not be ‘sufficient’
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GECDP Mainstreaming Rationales Contd.:
Programmatic approach to GECDP Mainstreaming
Preparatory Phase
Phase 1
Phase 2
30
Sensitization & building implementation capacity • Develop GECDP indicators and
integrate with existing monitoring systems;
• Engage in budgeting process• Capacity building strategy
Integrating GECDP into national development processes • Influencing policy processes • Planning processes (both national
and LG levels)
Finding the entry points and making the case• Finding champions at the institutional
level – policy & planning agencies, human settlement &construction sector, Industries, finance, local government, training providers, etc.
Creating awareness across all levels of government Assessment of the Policy and Planning Process and
Identification of windows of opportunity Influencing Planning Guidelines and Key Result
Areas to integrate GECDP and other cross cutting concerns
Identification of GECDP and Other Cross Cutting Concerns within the central sectors and local governments and recommending interventions
Comments on draft 11th FYP & Mainstreaming frameworks for Sectors & LGs)
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GECDP Mainstreaming Current Activities:
Review of policies for integration of GECDP and other cross cutting concerns
Providing support and inputs into the Introduction of GECDP modules in the curriculum of tertiary institutes: RIM, CST & Sherubtse College
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB
GECDP Mainstreaming Current Activities:
33
Gross National Happiness
Health, Education
Transport,Communications,Human Settlement, Construction
Tourism, Private Sector, Trade & Investment, Agriculture, Energy
Culture, Governments (Central ministries/Agencies/Local Government)
Sustained economic growth
Poverty + Reduced/MDG + Achieved
Food Secure & sustainable Full Employment
Needs of Vulnerable Group addressed
Historical, cultural property and Bhutanese identity promoted and preserved.
Indigenous wisdom, arts and crafts promoted for sustainable rural livelihood
Carbon neutral/ Green & climate resilient development
Sustainable Mgt & utilization of natural resources
Integrated water utilization & Mgt
Imp. disaster resilience & Mgt mainstreamed
Improved public service delivery, motivated public servants GPMS
Democracy and Governance strengthened
Gender friendly environment for Women’s participationCorruption reduced
Pill 1: Sustainable and equitable socio-eco. Dev.
Pill. 2: Presv. and promotion of culture
Pillar 3 : Conservation and Sustainable Environment Mgnt.
Pillar 4: Good Governance
National KeyResult Areas(NKRAs)
1
2
6
7
8
9
12
14
National Key Result Areas
GNH Pillars
Delivered by
3
4
5
13
15
10
11
34
and Thromdes /municipalities
Does the dzongkhag include the 4 Class A Thromdes?
Plz. see
Gross National Happiness Commission, RGoB 35
THANK YOU
For Further clarification, please visitwww.grossnationalhappiness.com
www.gnhc.gov.bt