BSR Insight | Gross National Happiness: A New Business Model for Holistic Development
About the Author(s)
Celine Suarez, Manager, Advisory Services
Publication Date
September 25, 2012
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In 1972, the king of Bhutan declared that national happiness would be prioritized over economic growth, and the country adopted Gross National Happiness (GNH) as the primary indicator of its citizens' quality of life. Since then, others—including the UN, which hosted a meeting in April to define a new economic paradigm based on well-being and happiness—have followed Bhutan's lead. According to the Columbia Earth Institute's World Happiness Report, despite major technological and economic developments in the United States, citizens have not reported increased happiness: Uncertainty and anxiety are high, social and economic inequalities have increased, and confidence in government is at an all-time low. Is happiness a quest for financial or material gain? Or is it a quest for equitable, sustainable development and personal peace? BSR will explore these questions in a Conference session with Isabel Sebastian, a Bhutan-based business and sustainability expert who is implementing a business model based on GNH. Join us to discuss how companies can rethink management models to deliver on happiness for all stakeholders.
About the Author(s)
Celine Suarez, Manager, Advisory Services
With strong project management and CSR program analysis skills, Celine manages BSR's ... Read more →
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