GNH 2010: Changing What We Measure from Wealth to Well-Being

Conference June 1 – 3, 2010  — GnH Ambassador Training June 4, 2010
Champlain College
Burlington, Vermont

As Einstein is famously quoted, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

We are well along in planning this exciting, ground breaking conference designed to kick-off the Gross National Happiness movement in the United States. The conference will provide a blend of inspirational speakers, the latest in GNH research, introductions to GNH concepts, practical steps for implementation in Vermont, and action-oriented workshops. GNH 2010 will bring together representatives from various academic, citizen, business and government groups.

The practice of GNH involves making explicit our shared visions of the future,  designing meaningful psychological, social and economic indicators that will tell us whether or not we are making real progress toward those goals and then to use these measures to frame our budgetary and social policy discussions. We believe that everyone has an inate interest in the pursuit of happiness and we will focus on how to use GNH tools to increase happiness and well-being for all.  This re-framing of our common purpose will help us make critical decisions about sustainability, maintaining what we love about our place in Vermont, and achieving increasing levels of well-being and happiness.

Acknowledging Vermont’s consistent leadership in progressive social change – GNH 2010 will build on our common values and  future visions, learning how best to measure these goals and progress toward them by applying GNH design to our Vermont setting.  Over the course of three days…we will design a Vermont-scale GNH laboratory;  Information and reports from other countries that are already using or implementing GNH and local Vermont efforts to develop progress indicators will provide strong context for our efforts. The conference will lead to  increased understanding of the use of economic and social indicators for well-being in Vermont and other places and take the first steps to implementation in our businesses, towns and state and local governments.  The conference is also the kick-off for GNHUSA, the national movement to spread the understanding of GNH and encourage utilization of GNH concepts across the USA.

Day 4 will be a special focused training for GNH Ambassadors — those interested in learning to lead discussions and explain GNH to organizations can get a one day intensive workshop on how to share and spread GNH concepts.

As part of the lead-up to the Conference, a short introductory course on GNH will be available around Vermont, and we are sponsoring a  series of GNH Poetry Slams and video projects. Check this site or look on Facebook for the Gross National Happiness American Project for news and information and to partcipate.

Gross National Happiness movement leaders from Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, and the U.K.  have been invited.

CALL FOR PAPERS:

We are inviting interested parties to submit papers on these topics, including research in progress, best practices, and applications for a limited number of presentation slots at the conference or for possible reference on the GNHUSA website. Documents should be submitted in MS-Word or equivalent format and should represent a 20 minute presentation. Please email these with your contact information to info@gnhusa.org by May 1, 2010.

Agenda: Click here for full Agenda
June 1st –   GNH Around the World: What is GNH, State of the practice 
June 2nd — What is Happiness and Digging Deeper into Data: Understanding GNH indicators
June 3rd –   Applications and Leadership — in Government, NGO’s and Business
June 4th –   GNH Ambassador Training– Intensive practical training to learn how to explain the wisdom and practice behind GNH and social progress indicators for business, government, civic groups and in education.

Registration and Housing: Click here for Registration Form

Check back for more information on:
Speakers
Conference Logistics
How you can help

Contact us to let us know of your interest. We are looking for volunteers to staff teams for conference program planning, logistics planning, outreach, localvore food for the conference, and more.