Report on the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (Aug. & Sep.2023)

2024年6月3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.

6th Seminar in the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (2023.8.12)

In this seminar, participants watched a documentary by the international broadcasting company Deutsche Welle (DW), which focuses on the future of “modernity” and “happiness” in Bhutan. At the beginning, commentator Mr. Hirayama introduced the outline of the video, and after watching it, there was an explanation, commentary, question and answer session, and exchange of opinions.

About 45 people attended this seminar. Here are some of the participants’ comments: “The content captured the reality of Bhutan from a broad perspective, which was interesting”, Mr. Hirayama’s comments after watching the video were far more helpful than the video itself (I was grateful for his comments, because without them I wouldn't have known how to interpret the video)”, “I have never thought about India so consciously as I did this time. Until now, my image of Bhutan has been one of idyllic beauty, but this video seems to have pointed out the contradiction that there is paradise-like happiness on top of the sacrifices of Indian workers who seem to have no regard for their own lives. I participated to this seminar with the intention of learning about Bhutan, but recently it has also made me think about India”.

Introduction of the featured video
Lecturer Mr. Hirayama making a comment

7th Seminar in the Bhutan Seminar Series 2023 (2023.9.8)

In this 7th seminar, we watched a French documentary to get a closer look at the road conditions in Bhutan. Many questions and comments were received from the participants, and it became a place for lively question-and-answer, opinion exchange, and information sharing.

About 40 people attended this seminar. Here are some of the participants’ comments: “It was very interesting to watch French program. It was sharp and merciless. It only deals with roads, but as a program it is deep”, “From the happiness of the people as seen from the road conditions in the eastern part of the country where I have never been, to the social issues involved in road construction, this documentary tells us a lot about Bhutan just by looking at the roads, and the many supplementary information provided by Mr. Hirayama and the participants was interesting”, “The scenes of the road conditions in Bhutan had a big impact and were often heart-pounding. I was shocked by the poor working conditions of the people who build and repair the roads. The sharp comment that Bhutan’s ‘happiness’ is supported by such people was impressed so much”.

Video introduction by lecturer
Description of the town featured in the video