The managing director of the World Bank Mr. Graeme Wheeler delivered a talk on The Endless Knot: An Economic Path toward Gross Inter- National Happiness. The talk was delivered on Monday at the Royal Institute of Management in Semtokha.
Speaking to senior government officials, students of the Royal Institute of Management and senior educationists, Mr. Wheeler spoke on a thread of the endless knot, one where Bhutan will play an important role that is the global effort to address climate change.
He said in many respects, the behaviors we are seeing internationally are illustrated by the Buddhist symbols of the three poisons depicted by the pig, the rooster and the snake, representing ignorance, anger and greed.
The Managing Director of the World Bank said, Bhutan can play a critical role in showing the world how to respond to climate change. He said Bhutan has been practicing what other countries need to do.
Mr. Wheeler said we need to extend the concept of Gross National Happiness to Gross International Happiness.
Mr. Wheeler also spoke on the effect of climate change on Bhutan. He said Bhutan has to manage both sides of adapting to climate change initially managing increased run off from the melting ice cap while preparing for a time when there will be much less run off.
Mr. Wheeler said over the past 30 years, the snow and ice covers in the eastern Himalayas have declined by 30%.
The Managing Director said the World Bank stands ready to help Bhutan adapt to the effects of climate change.
As seen in the example of the four friends, all must work together to reach the fruit. He said we must learn to cooperate to manage climate change and protect the environment. Citizens of the world are connected just like the interdependence represented in Drami, the endless knot.
Mr. Wheeler said as His Majesty the Fourth Gyalpo began and His Majesty the King now continues, the promotion of Gross National Happiness is a gift to the people of Bhutan. In turn, this can be Bhutan’s gift to the world.
In a question and answer session, Mr. Wheeler said Bhutan has much to teach the rest of the world about preparing for democracy and said, Bhutan’s going to have an excellent transition. Source: BBS
