Occupy Salem Forum: Bhutan's Gross National Happiness - Slated for March 7

Occupy Salem is the local manifestation of the international Occupy Movement.

Courtesy: gloriousdragontours.com

(SALEM) - Gross National Happiness, rather than Gross National Product (GNP), is the national goal of the small Himalayan country of Bhutan.

Occupy Salem member Laurie Dougherty recently visited Bhutan and will present what she learned about this remarkable concept in an exclusive presentation on March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Oregon PeaceWorks office at 104 Commercial St. NE.

Until the mid-20th century, Bhutan was a mystery to all but its nearest neighbors.

Now a democratic constitutional monarchy, Bhutan has opened to the wider world and embarked on a visionary program of modernization.

The Gross National Happiness is based on four guiding principles:

1. Sustainable and equitable economic development
2. Environmental conservation
3. Cultural preservation
4. Good governance

Laurie Dougherty’s December 2011 visit fulfilled a lifelong fascination with Bhutan.

Occupy Salem is the local manifestation of the international Occupy Movement. Occupy Salem presents educational forums such as this one periodically to inform the public about issues relevant to the movement’s goals. Letting people know that there exists an operating alternative to measuring progress and success in dollar terms is Occupy Salem’s reason for sponsoring this forum.

Peter Bergel
Executive Director
Oregon PeaceWorks