Report on the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (June. & July.2023)

2024年5月1日更新

Beginning in FY2021, the Global Collaboration Center is hosting regional research-based seminars to (1) learn about the Kingdom of Bhutan, which is located in South Asia, and (2) examine development policies and the situation of the country and region in light of these issues. Each seminar includes a film screening, a brief commentary by the presenter, and a question-and-answer session. A total of 15 sessions are scheduled for FY2023.

3rd Seminar in the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (2023.6.30)

In this seminar, we watched a program that was broadcast on BS-TBS in 2011, focusing mainly on the nature and culture of eastern Bhutan. After Mr. Shin Suto, researcher of Japan Institute for Bhutan Studies (JIBS), opinions were exchanged on topics such as economic disparity between the eastern and western parts of Bhutan, dyes used for dyeing, the results of GNH (Gross National Happiness) survey in 2022, and population outflow to overseas countries.

About 55 people attended this seminar. Here are some of the participants’ comments: “The basic knowledge, video viewing, and explanations helped me understand better”, “The video itself was very interesting, but Mr. Suto’s very dense (and well-organized and summarized) comments helped me understand even better”, “I was surprised to learn that there are disparities even within Bhutan. I thought everyone was happy and living without discrimination”.

Introduction of the eastern part of Bhutan
Commentator Mr. Shin Suto

4th Seminar in the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (2023.7.14)

In this 4th seminar, participants watched a program broadcast on BS-TBS in 2011 and spent time thinking mainly about Bhutan’s development policies. After watching the video, commentator Mr. Hirayama gave an explanation and commentary, and answered questions from the participants such as the background to the indexing of GNH (Gross National Happiness), the relationship between the Constitution and the King and Buddhism, etc.

About 45 people attended this seminar. Here are some of the participants’ comments: “I felt like I was able to reconsider Japan’s perspective and perception of Bhutan from a critical perspective”, “I was glad to hear perspectives and opinions from various angles”, “I think that the concept of GNH has been used as a way of branding the country, but I felt that it is extremely difficult and elusive to quantify the subjective concept of ‘happiness’ or compare it with other countries.”

Description of the village featured in the video
Explanation by lecturer Mr. Hirayama

5th Seminar in the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (2023.7.29)

This 5th seminar focused on the Takin, national animal of Bhutan. Commentator Mr. Pema Wangchuck gave an explanation and commentary from a Bhutanese perspective and then answered questions from the participants. Information was shared and opinions were exchanged on the distribution area of the Takin, the impression of the Bhutanese people towards the Takin, salt intake of animals like cattle, Takin, yak, etc.

About 55 people attended this seminar. Here are some of the participants’ comments: “It was interesting that the commentator’s talk was based on his own experiences”, “The video focused on takins was really entertaining”, “I’d never heard of the name of this animal before, and I thought it was very Bhutanese that there are such mysterious creatures, with an appearance that is both cow and goat-like. I was impressed by the scene in the video where other children try to help a young child escape from a bear”.

Introducing the Takin, national animal of Bhutan
Commentator Mr. Pema Wangchuk