HARVARD BHUTAN WINTER TREK 2024 - The Institute of Happiness

HARVARD BHUTAN WINTER TREK (2024)

{འབྲུག་བདེ་སྐྱིད་སློབ་ཁང}

Phone : 975-330025, PO Box 194, Thimphu, Bhutan, kingatshering@gmail.com

HARVARD BHUTAN WINTER TREK (2024)

15^th to 22^nd December, 2024

The Harvard Bhutan Winter Trek 2024 is being organized as part of the MICE incentives program and as a follow up on the hugely successful Bhutan Innovation Forum held in October at Paro. This will be a two days symposium/workshop on Mindfulness Practices and Development Economics organized by and at Hotel Thimphu Towers in collaboration with the Institute of Happiness, Bhutan.

Given the number of participants from mid career professionals from Harvard University with expertise in policies, business and management including urban design and education, the symposium will not only curate ideas but also have a great impact on the participants including both international and domestic. It is expected that over 15-20 esteemed scholars and policy practitioners from Harvard, MIT and other organizations from the US and from around the world will be participating in this program.

Summary of Itinerary

Day	ACTIVITY	WHERE AND BY WHOM?
DAY-1 15^th Dec. 2024	Arrive at Thimphu	Hotel Thimphu Towers Zhu Bhutan Travels Institute of Happiness
DAY-2 16^th Dec. 2024	Symposium DAY-1	Same as above
DAY-3 17^th Dec. 2024	National Day Celebrations	Same as above
DAY-4 18^th Dec. 2024	Symposium DAY-2	Same as above
DAY-5 19^th Dec. 2024	Visit Punakha and back	Hotel Thimphu Towers

DAY-6

20^th Dec. 2024

Visit Paro

Jankar Resort

DAY-7

21^st Dec. 2024

Paro Taktsang

Jankar
Resort

DAY-8

22^nd Dec. 2024

Departure

Symposium Description: This symposium explores the intersection of mindfulness practices and development economics, focusing on sustainable growth, well-being, and equitable prosperity in Bhutan. Leveraging Bhutan’s unique emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the symposium brings together mid-career professionals from Harvard and MIT to exchange insights, foster collaborative research, and develop innovative strategies that integrate mindfulness into economic development frameworks. Participants will engage in keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at advancing policies and practices that promote both economic and psychological well-being.

Day 1 (16^thDecember, 2024) : Foundations and Framework

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration and Welcome Breakfast

Participants arrive, register, and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese breakfast while networking.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony

Welcome Address:
Introduction: (Kinga Tshering)

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Keynote Address

Title: “Gross National Happiness: Bhutan’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development”
Speaker: Kinga Tshering, Patricia Mou and Steven David

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Coffee Break

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel Discussion

Theme: “Integrating Mindfulness into Development Economics”
Panelists: Sangay Thinley, Faith Cerny and Jonathan Yau

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch

Traditional Bhutanese cuisine with opportunities for informal discussions.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Workshop Session 1

Topic: “Measuring Well-Being: Beyond GDP”
Facilitator: Kinga Tshering & Kezang & Karma Wangdi
Activities: Interactive exercises on alternative economic indicators, group discussions.

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Afternoon Break

3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Synthesis and Open Forum

Sharing insights from breakout sessions.
Open floor for participant questions and reflections.

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Welcome Dinner

Opportunity for networking and cultural immersion.

Day 2 (Dec 18^th 2024) : Application and Action

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Morning Yoga and Mindfulness Session

Guided by local mindfulness practitioners.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Day 2 Opening Remarks

Summary of Day 1
Overview of Day 2 agenda

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Keynote Panel

Theme: “The Role of Education and Technology in Mindful Development”
Panelists: Drew Brent, Dan Wen Wang, Tshering Wangmo (RTC Lecturer) and Deki (ELC, Thimphu)

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Coffee Break

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM: Workshop Session 2

Topic: “Designing Mindful Urban Centers – Gelephu Mindfulness City”
Facilitator: Alia Peragallo & Sailesh Humagai, Urban Planner & Faith Cerny
Activities: Policy simulation exercises, collaborative policy drafting.

1:15 PM – 2:45 PM: Lunch and Informal Networking

2:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Interactive Case Studies

Case Study : “Dubai, Singapore, Hongkong, Neom and Nusantara”
Format: Group analysis and presentation.

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Afternoon Break

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Action Planning and Commitment Session

Developing actionable strategies based on symposium discussions.
Participants outline collaborative projects and initiatives.
Summary of Key takeaways

BHUTAN