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5th International Conference on Gross National Happiness and Law

In an era marked by ecological crises, deepening inequalities, geopolitical rivalries, and the erosion of democratic trust, the moral voice and developmental philosophy of small states have become increasingly vital. Bhutan, guided by the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, introduced to the world an alternative paradigm, Gross National Happiness (GNH), that placed human well-being, ecological harmony, good governance, and cultural integrity at the heart of national progress. Today, under the visionary leadership of His Majesty The King, Bhutan once again inspires the world through the transformative vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City: A model of mindful urbanization that fuses spiritual depth with technological innovation, cultural integrity with global openness, and sustainability with human flourishing. This initiative positions Bhutan not merely as a practitioner of GNH but as a global thought leader in designing future ready, compassionate, and inclusive societies.

The 5th International Conference on Gross National Happiness and Law will therefore explore “The Small-State Leadership & GNH”: An inquiry into how small nations can lead by example in shaping a just, compassionate, and sustainable world order. The conference will convene world leaders, jurists, scholars, economists, policymakers, and spiritual thinkers to reflect on the lessons Bhutan offers and the pathways it can chart in the decades to come.