DIGITAL startup founders and a world-renowned economist will be among the 80-plus world-leading thought leaders at a conference in a secluded kingdom known for placing Gross Happiness before Gross Domestic Product.
The inaugural Bhutan Innovation Forum in October is aimed at bringing together some of the brightest minds from around the globe to explore how mindfulness, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability intersect. It is hoped the event will lead to the development of a knowledge economy in Bhutan.
The announcement of the forum by King Jigme of Bhutan comes as the Himalayan country embarks on creating the world’s first “Mindfulness City” in the national capital of Paro.
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Bhutan Innovation Forum, scheduled for October 1-3, at Dungkar Dzong, Paro, is aimed at integrating green technologies and mindful innovation to build a community grounded in harmony, wellbeing, and happiness.
“The Mindfulness City will be unlike any other, rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH),” said Jigme. “It will be a city that fosters conscious and sustainable businesses, inspired by our spiritual heritage and reflecting the unique Bhutanese identity.”
Speakers will cover diverse topics such as integrating mindfulness into education and leadership, leveraging blockchain for knowledge economies, utilising AI in digital services and governance, promoting ESG investments for climate resilience, and developing carbon markets for sustainable growth.
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Speakers include Evan Spiegel, the Co-Founder and CEO of Snapchat; Joseph E Stiglitz, economist and Nobel Laureate; Nicholas Stern, Economist and Member of the UK House of Lords and Nobel Laureate; Richard J Roberts, Molecular Biologist and Nobel Laureate; Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a Buddhist scholar, author and filmmaker; Juan Manuel Santos, the former President of Columbia; Anil Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Group; Bjarke Ingels, the founding partner and Creative Director of BIG; Matthieu Ricard, a philosopher and buddhist monk; among others.
“I’m honoured to join the inaugural Innovation Forum in Bhutan, inspired by His Majesty’s vision for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap Inc. and one of the event’s keynote speakers.
“I’m excited to discuss how mindfulness can create space for innovation and how technology can play a supportive role in this process.”
Joseph Stiglitz said: “The Bhutan Innovation Forum could redefine society’s most critical asset – our collective learning capabilities. It’s poised to cultivate human capital and build a learning society, all while remaining true to Bhutan’s commitments to mindfulness and collective well_-being.”
