DOCSLIB.ORG

The State of the Tsa-Wa-Sum

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The State of the Tsa-Wa-Sum (Check against delivery) THE STATE OF THE TSA-WA-SUM TSHERING TOBGAY PRIME MINISTER ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN FIFTH SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF BHUTAN 16 JUNE 2015 THIMPHU, BHUTAN TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT ..............................................................................1 HIS MAJESTY THE KING ..........................................................................................4 COUNTRY .................................................................................................................10 • Security .................................................................................................................................10 • Foreign Relations ...............................................................................................................10 • Gross National Happiness ................................................................................................17 THE FIRST PILLAR OF GNH: SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE SOCIO- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................18 • Social Development...............................................................................................18 • Health .......................................................................................................................18 • Education. ................................................................................................................20 • Poverty .....................................................................................................................24 • Economic Growth .................................................................................................24 • Jewel 1 – Hydropower ...........................................................................................27 • Jewel 2 – Agriculture .............................................................................................29 • Jewel 3 – Tourism ...................................................................................................31 • Jewel 4 – Small and Medium Enterprises ..........................................................33 • Jewel 5 – Mining .....................................................................................................33 • Other Sectors ..........................................................................................................34 • Infrastructure .........................................................................................................34 • Business Environment ..........................................................................................36 • Promoting local products .....................................................................................37 • Private sector development ..................................................................................38 SECOND PILLAR OF GNH: PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURE ........................................................................................................39 • Spiritual Heritage ...................................................................................................39 • Architectural Heritage ...........................................................................................40 • National Language .................................................................................................41 • Movie Industry .......................................................................................................42 • Performing Arts and Textiles ...............................................................................42 THE THIRD PILLAR OF GNH: CONSERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................44 • Disaster Management ...........................................................................................46 THE FOURTH PILLAR OF GNH: GOOD GOVERNANCE ........................47 • Democracy ..............................................................................................................47 • Local Government .................................................................................................47 • The Executive ..........................................................................................................49 • The legislature .........................................................................................................50 • The judiciary ...........................................................................................................51 • Constitutional Bodies ...........................................................................................52 • Civil Society Organizations ................................................................................53 • Media ........................................................................................................................54 OUR PEOPLE ............................................................................................................55 • Youth .....................................................................................................................................55 • Women ..................................................................................................................................57 • Sports ....................................................................................................................................59 CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................................61 THE STATE OF THE TSA-WA-SUM FIFTH SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF BHUTAN 16 JUNE 2015 Your Majesty The King Speaker of the National Assembly Chairman of the National Council Leader of the Opposition Party Members of Parliament Fellow Citizens It is, indeed, a great honour and privilege to present the Annual Report on the State of the Tsa-Wa-Sum to this august Assembly as prescribed by Article 10 Section 10 of the Constitu- tion of our great country. I thank the Speaker, the Chairman of the National Council, the Leader of Opposition Par- ty and the Members of Parliament for the opportunity. I thank the guests and the people watching on national television. I undertake this responsibility faithfully and in earnest to report to Your Majesty, Parlia- ment and the people of Bhutan on our progress and achievements as a nation and people, and the challenges we face. As I have underscored in the past, the significance and importance of the Tsa-Wa-Sum can- not be overstated. It defines us as a nation and people, and distinguishes us from others. It is the source of our strength and unity. As citizens of this great nation, we each have a respon- sibility to consciously protect, nurture and strengthen the Tsa-Wa-Sum. This Parliament, graced by the presence of our beloved King representing the sacred Insti- tution of Monarchy; and elected representatives of the people of all 20 Dzongkhags is the embodiment of the Tsa-Wa-Sum - it personifies the unshakable and inviolable bond that binds us as a nation and people. It is here that we come together to discuss matters of national importance; to celebrate achievements; and to find solutions to many of the challenges we face in a spirit of shared responsibility and cooperation. In doing so, we have always been fortunate and privileged to benefit from the able leadership, wise counsel and guidance of His Majesty The King, for which we remain deeply grateful. We are a small country that is not only landlocked but also highly mountainous. We have a very small population and limited resources. We are sandwiched between India and China - 1 - THE STATE OF THE TSA-WA-SUM FIFTH SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF BHUTAN 16 JUNE 2015 - two large and powerful countries. But our country is blessed – by the goodwill and benedictions of Guru Rimpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. By the benevolence, magnanimity and enlightened lead- ership of our Monarchs. And by the prayers of His Holiness The Je Khenpo, the Zhung Dratshang, lams, truelkus and rimpoches of various lineages. We are a fortunate people and nation. That is why Bhutan is regarded as Baeyul. We have come a long way since we first embarked on the process of modernization in the early 60s. Undaunted by our constraints, limitations and formidable challenges, our succes- sive Monarchs steered our nation and people towards the path of peace, progress and pros- perity. They provided outstanding leadership to preserve, protect and enhance our status as a sovereign independent nation and to improve the social and economic well being of our people. Above all, they always put the interest of the country and people above their own. During the glorious reign of His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan witnessed un- precedented peace, progress and development. For 34 years, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo worked tirelessly to improve the well being and welfare of our people and to make our nation stronger and secure. Indeed, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo bequeathed to us a legacy that has laid a firm foundation for a strong, prosperous and secure future for our people and nation. We owe our beloved Fourth Druk Gyalpo a huge debt of gratitude for being our most important benefactor and guardian. It is a matter of great pride to state that Bhutan has achieved remarkable progress and devel- opment in all spheres in an environment of peace and stability within a few decades. Our achievements
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 6 Dzongs of Bhutan - Architecture and Significance of These Fortresses
    6 Dzongs of Bhutan - Architecture and Significance of These Fortresses Nestled in the great Himalayas, Bhutan has long been the significance of happiness and peace. The first things that come to one's mind when talking about Bhutan are probably the architectures, the closeness to nature and its strong association with the Buddhist culture. And it is just to say that a huge part of the country's architecture has a strong Buddhist influence. One such distinctive architecture that you will see all around Bhutan are the Dzongs, they are beautiful and hold a very important religious position in the country. Let's talk more about the Dzongs in Bhutan. What are the Bhutanese Dzongs? Wangdue Phodrang Dzong in Bhutan (Source) Dzongs can be literally translated to fortress and they represent the majestic fortresses that adorn every corner of Bhutan. Dzong are generally a representation of victory and power when they were built in ancient times to represent the stronghold of Buddhism. They also represent the principal seat for Buddhist school responsible for propagating the ideas of the religion. Importance of Dzongs in Bhutan Rinpung Dzong in Paro, home to the government administrative offices and monastic body of the district (Source) The dzongs in Bhutan serve several purposes. The two main purposes that these dzongs serve are administrative and religious purposes. A part of the building is dedicated for the administrative purposes and a part of the building to the monks for religious purposes. Generally, this distinction is made within the same room from where both administrative and religious activities are conducted.
    [Show full text]
  • Translation Role of Bhutanese Media in Democracy: Case Study of the 2013 General Election
    Translation Role of Bhutanese Media in Democracy: Case Study of the 2013 General Election Keywords: Bhutan, Monarchy, Democracy, Information Society, Media Hitoshi FUJIWARA, Waseda University. Abstract The Kingdom of Bhutan, located in the Himalayas, closed its doors to foreign countries until the 1960s. After it reopened, Bhutan was a modern state for half a century. In 2008, the King of Bhutan decided to relinquish his power and democratize the country. It was an unprecedented event in history. On the other hand, there was no mass media in this tiny country until the 1990s. In 1999, the King lifted the ban on information technology such as television and the Internet. It was a rare case where television broadcasting and Internet services commenced at the same time. This study illustrates the history of democracy and the media in Bhutan and examines the correlation between them. Before commencing with such an examination, the theoretical stream of the relationship between democracy and the media in modern history should be reviewed. The primary section of this paper comprises field research and analysis regarding the National Assembly election of Bhutan in 2013, as a case study of the practice of democracy. The research questions are as follows: ‘What was the role of Bhutanese media in this election?’; ‘What kind of information led Bhutanese voters to decision making?’ In conclusion, the theoretical model and the Bhutanese practical model of the relationship between the government, media, and citizens are compared. This comparison shows the progress of democracy and the role of the media in modern-day Bhutan. 16 Journal of Socio-Informatics Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The Next Generation Bhutan Foundation Annual Report 2016
    The Next Generation Bhutan Foundation Annual Report 2016 Our nation’s vision can only be fulfilled if the scope of our dreams and aspirations are matched by the reality of our commitment to nurturing our future citizens. —His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Table of Contents 4 A time to invest in the Future: Letters from our Co-Chairs and President 8 Youth citizen scientists research how environment responds to climate change 10 Tiger, tiger, burning bright! 13 How solving a community problem can protect snow leopards 15 Bhutan’s history, my history: A student explains the importance of cultural heritage 16 Teaching the next generation of health-care workers 18 Young medical professionals take health care to mountains, glaciers, and beyond 21 Specialized training means better services for children with disabilities 23 How simple agricultural innovation can provide hope 24 How the young and old bring a community back to life 26 Civil society organizations play important role in youth participation 29 Our Partners 30 Bhutan Foundation Grants Fiscal Year 2016 34 Financial Overview 36 Ways to Give 38 Our Team Table of Contents 4 A time to invest in the Future: Letters from our Co-Chairs and President 8 Youth citizen scientists research how environment responds to climate change 10 Tiger, tiger, burning bright! 13 How solving a community problem can protect snow leopards 15 Bhutan’s history, my history: A student explains the importance of cultural heritage 16 Teaching the next generation of health-care workers 18 Young medical professionals take health care to mountains, glaciers, and beyond 21 Specialized training means better services for children with disabilities 23 How simple agricultural innovation can provide hope 24 How the young and old bring a community back to life 26 Civil society organizations play important role in youth participation 29 Our Partners 30 Bhutan Foundation Grants Fiscal Year 2016 34 Financial Overview 36 Ways to Give 38 Our Team A Time to Invest .
    [Show full text]
  • DRUK Journal – Democracy in Bhutan – Spring 2018
    Spring 2018 Volume 4, Issue 1 The Druk Journal འབྲུག་୲་䝴ས་䝺བ། ©2018 by The Druk Journal All rights reserved The views expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily of The Druk Journal. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without permission from the publisher. ISSN 2411-6726 This publication is supported by DIPD and Open Society Foundations A Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy Publication PO Box 1662, Thimphu, Bhutan www.bcmd.bt/www.drukjournal.bt Printed at Kuensel Corporation Ltd., Thimphu, Bhutan Dzongkha title calligraphy: Yonten Phuntsho Follow us on Facebook and Twitter འབྲུག་୲་དམངས་གཙོ荲་宱་譲མ། Democratisation of Bhutan www.drukjournal.bt The Druk Journal འབྲུག་୲་䝴ས་䝺བ། Contents Introduction 1 Editorial 2 DEMOCRACY IN BHUTAN Political Parties in the 21st Century Bjørn Førde 3 Democracy in Bhutan Dr Brian C. Shaw 14 DEMOCRACY DECENTRALISed Dhar from the Throne : an Honour and a Responsibility Kinley Dorji, Tashi Pem 24 The Micro Effect of Democratisation in Rural Bhutan Tshering Eudon 28 The Thromde Elections – an Inadequate Constituency? Ugyen Penjore 38 POLITicS OF DEMOCRACY Socio-economic Status and Electoral Participation in Bhutan Kinley 46 National Interest Versus Party Interest: What Former Chimis Think of Parliamentary Discussions Tashi Dema 59 The Bhutanese Politicians Kesang Dema 66 Youth and Politics in an Evolving Democracy Siok Sian
    [Show full text]
  • Tentative Festival Dates for 2016
    TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2016 SL# FESTIVAL PLACE DATES 1. NOMAD FESTIVAL BUMTHANG 23rd February 2. BHUTAN INTERNATIONAL (Annual event organized by Bhutan 5th March MARATHON Olympic Committee) 3. PUNAKHA DRUBCHEN Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA 14th -16th February 4. PUNAKHA TSHECHU Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA 17th -19th February 5. THARPALING THONGDROL Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chhumi, 22nd February BUMTHANG 6. CHHORTEN KORA Chorten Kora, 22nd February & 9th March TRASHIYANGTSHE 7. GOMPHU KORA Gom Kora Lhakhang, 17th -18th March TRASHIGANG 8. TALO TSHECHU Talo Gonpo, PUNAKHA 16th -18th March 9. GASA TSHECHU Gasa Dzong, 14th -17th March GASA 10. ZHEMGANG TSHECHU Zhemgang Dzong, ZHEMGANG 16th -18th March 11. PARO TSHECHU Rinpung Dzong, 20th – 24rd March PARO 12. RHODODENDRON Lamperi Botanical Garden, 18th -20th April FESTIVAL Dochula, THIMPHU 13. DOMKHAR TSHECHU Domkhar, Chummi, BUMTHANG 16th -18th April 14. URA YAKCHOE Ura Lhakhang, 18th -23rd April BUMTHANG 15. SAKTANG FESTIVAL Saktang Khakhang, 12th -16th June TRASHIGANG 16. NIMALUNG TSHECHU Nimalung Dratshang, 13th -15th June Chummi, BUMTHANG 17. TRELDA TSHECHU Drametse, MONGAR 12th -24th June 18. KURJEY TSHECHU Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor 15th June 19. HAA SUMMER Town Festival Ground, HAA 5th–6th July FESTIVAL 20. MERAK TSHECHU Merak Lhakhang, 2nd -3rd August TRASHIGANG 21. MASUTAKE Ura, BUMTHANG 22nd – 23rd August MUSHROOM FESTIVAL [email protected] www.tibetantrekking.com 22. CHHA FESTIVAL Tagmochhu,LHUENTSE 15th -19th August 23. TOUR OF THE DRAGON Bumthang to Thimphu 5th September (BICYCLE RACE) 24. THIMPHU DRUBCHEN Tashi Chhodzong, 7th September THIMPHU 25. WANGDUE TSHECHU Tencholing Army Ground, 9th – 11th September WANGDUEPHODRANG 26. THIMPHU TSHECHU Tashi Chhodzong, 11th – 13th September THIMPHU 27. GANGTEY TSHECHU Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, 9th -11th October WANDUEPHODRANG 28.
    [Show full text]
  • Auf Abenteuerlichen Straßen – Bhutan 2019
    Auf abenteuerlichen Straßen – Bhutan 2019 04.-06.03. Anreise via Indien 2 07.03. Abenteuerliche Straßen 4 08.03. Sightseeing im Osten Bhutans 6 09.03. Eine lange Fahrt 7 10.03. Noch mehr abenteuerliche Straßen 10 11.03. Bumthang Tal, das Tal der Schweizer 11 12.03. Ausflug ins Tang Tal 14 13.03. Zum Tal der Kraniche 15 14.03. Eine unfreiwillige Wanderung in Punakha 17 15/16.03. Thimphu, die Hauptstadt ohne Ampeln 19 17.03. Paro Tsechu zum Ersten 22 18.03. Wanderung zum Tigernest und Paro Tsechu zum Zweiten 23 19.-21.03 Der lange Rückweg 24 © Freya & Jürgen Blösl [email protected] Auf abenteuerlichen Straßen – Bhutan 2019 Seite 2 In diesem Jahr haben wir es endlich nach den letzten Jahren zwar etwas gelockert, Jürgen hatte diese Tour bereits 2017 bei 04.-06.03. – Bhutan geschafft. Für diejenigen, die sich aber immer noch muss man eine geführte dem Veranstalter World Insight gefunden, Anreise via Indien fragen, wo das ist: Es ist nördlich von In- Tour mit Transport, Hotel, Essen und Rei- aber wer den letztjährigen Reisebericht dien und südlich von Tibet, direkt neben seleiter buchen. Wenn man das Land nur „Südwesten der USA 2018 - Mehr als nur Wir verlassen das Haus gegen 13:30 Uhr Nepal. für ein paar Tage besuchen möchte, ist National Parks“ gelesen hat weiß ja und fahren nach Frankfurt, um unseren Das Land ist nicht wirklich groß und da es der Preis ziemlich hoch (mindestens 200 schon, dass wir sie auf dieses Jahr ver- Abendflug nach Delhi zu nehmen. für ausländische Reisende einige Ein- USD pro Tag in der Nebensaison), aber je schieben mussten.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Brochure
    1 Culture Bhutan has a profound cultural diversity. With more than 80 percent of the country being Buddhists, the ways of the Buddhist practice has had a huge impact on the Bhutanese culture. The influence of Buddhism is very visible in the everyday life of the Bhutanese people. The country boasts of thousands of monasteries and the landscape is dotted with stupas, prayer wheels, prayer flags and many other insignias celebrating the Buddhist religion. The preservation of culture has always been accorded the highest of priorities and it was outlined as one of the four main pillars of the country’s unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. 2 © Ricardo Viana © Ricardo 3 is a religious festival that begins on the 10th day of the Tshechu Bhutanese calendar. During the festival, monks and laymen dances, folk dances, receive blessings and perform mask dances over a stretch socialize. Besides the religious dances and of three to five days in a temple or songs, atsaras are a major attraction during the monastery. The mask dances are tshechu. Atsaras usually don hilarious looking performed to commemorate the life of masks with large protruding noses and often Guru Padmasambhava and other great with a phallus dangling from the head. They Buddhist masters. signify enlightened wisdom and their acts are intended to cleanse the collective sin of Tshechus customarily conclude with the people gathered to witness the religious the unfurling of a Thongdrel (large dances. scroll painting) of Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Zhabdrung and other The festival is also an occasion for people to enlightened beings.
    [Show full text]
  • TA-6598 BHU: Renewable Energy for Climate Resilience
    Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment TA-6598 BHU: Renewable Energy for Climate Resilience REPORT 222 CLIENT Asian Development Bank AUTHORS Dr Corjan Nolet Dr Arthur Lutz DATE April 2021 1 TA-6598 BHU: Renewable Energy for Climate Resilience Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment FutureWater Report 222 Client Asian Development Bank Authors Dr Corjan Nolet – Remote Sensing and GIS expert ([email protected]) Dr Arthur Lutz – Senior Hydrologist & Climate Change Expert ([email protected]) Date April 2021 ADDRESS FutureWater B.V. Costerweg 1V 6702 AA Wageningen The Netherlands TELEPHONE +31 317 460 050 WEBSITE www.futurewater.eu 2 WEBSITE Executive Summary Bhutan's power sector almost exclusively relies on hydropower generation. Hydropower, however, is vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters caused by climate change. The first deployment of non-hydro renewables at utility scale in Bhutan will be the first step to diversify the power generation portfolio, increase the resilience against severe weather events such as droughts, and complement the hydropower generation profile during the dry season. Other renewable energy resources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind can complement hydropower in forming a more diversified electricity generation portfolio, which is, in healthy mix, resilient to changes in seasonal weather patterns and weather extremes that can adversely affect power supply. For this project ADB develops 2 solar and one wind plant. The objectives of this Climate Risk and Adaptation assessment (CRA) are two-fold: 1) Validate the underlying rationale for diversification of Bhutan’s energy generation portfolio. The rationale is that more unreliable flows under climate change adversely affect the hydropower generation, in particular in the low flow season outside the monsoon season.
    [Show full text]
  • Mi-Khung-Vol-4 Issue 2
    མི་ཁུངས། Media and Democracy in Bhutan | www.bcmd.bt | Volume 4, Issue 2, August 2014 The Space for Democracy’s Growth Siok Sian Pek-Dorji, Director, BCMD Bhutan has taken on the task of build- ing a system of governance as a democratic constitutional monarchy. The evolving po- litical system is shaping a new space and culture that gives us the opportunity to lay the foundations so that citizens can find the means and the encouragement to shape our future. In the process, we are learning to un- derstand and assume new responsibilities as the citizens of a new democracy. In a country where the state has been a strong driver, perhaps the only driver, of change, we need to now consider how to BCMD’s ‘exploring democracy conversations’ provide public space for discussions get the state to provide more space for citi- zens to interact, associate and to share their reflected a sense of helplessness, and even free press has suffered a famine,” said No- views. We are talking of “public space”, a remorse, at how they had simply “reported” bel Laureate, Amartya Sen. Sen’s analysis is concept that has been described as a physical the events at the last elections without giv- that a free press helps a country to keep tabs or virtual space that facilitates the creation ing deeper thought to the political negativi- on what’s going on and to enable decision- of an enabling environment for democratic ties and mud-slinging that will have an im- makers to respond to felt needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Contact List of Cable TV Operators
    List of Cable TV Operators Sl. License Name of Cable Contact Person and Details Area of Operation Dzongkhag No. No. TV Operator Mrs. Sonam Wangmo Tobgyel Cable Sat Club Contact #: 17111757, 17897373, 1 603000001 Phuentsholing Thromde Chhukha Service 252991/252806F. Email: [email protected] Mrs. Yangchen Lhamo Norling Cable Contact #: 17110826 2 603000002 Thimphu Thromde Thimphu Service Telephone #: 326422 Email: [email protected] Mr. Tshewang Rinzin Dogar Cable 3 603000003 Contact #: 17775555 Dawakha of Dogar Gewog Paro Service Email: [email protected] Mr. Tshering Norbu Contact #: #: 177701770 Phuentsholing Thromde Tshela Cable Email: [email protected] 4 603000004 Phuentsholing Gewog and Chhukha Service Rinchen Wangdi Sampheling Gewog Contact #: 17444333 Email: [email protected] Mr. Basant Gurung Norla Cable 5 603000005 Contact #: 17126588 Samkhar and Surey Sarpang Service Email: [email protected] Wangcha Gewog, Dhopshari Gewog Mr. Tshewang Namgay and Mr. Ugyen Dorji Sigma Cable Doteng Gewog, Lango Gewog, 6 603000006 Contact #: 17110772/77213777 Paro Service Lungnyi Email: [email protected] Gewog, Shaba Gewog, Hungrel Gewog. Sl. License Name of Cable Contact Person and Details Area of Operation Dzongkhag No. No. TV Operator Samtse Gewog, Tashicholing Gewog Mr. Singye Dorji Sangacholing Gewog, Ugyentse 7 603000007 SKD Cable Contact #: 05-365243/05-365490 Gewog Samtse Email: [email protected] Norbugang Gewog, Pemaling Gewog and Namgaycholing Gewog Ms. Sangay Dema SNS Cable 8 603000008 Contact #: 17114439/17906935 Gelephu Thromde Sarpang Service Email: [email protected] Radi Gewog, Samkhar Gewog, Ms. Tshering Dema Tshering Norbu Bikhar 9 603000009 Contact #: 17310099 Trashigang Cable Gewog, Galing Gewog, Bidung Email: [email protected] Gewog, Songhu Gewog Mr. Tandi Dorjee Tang Gewog, Ura Gewog, TD Cable 10 603000010 Contact #: 17637241 Choekor Bumthang Network Email: [email protected] Mea Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Silence in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
    SILENCE IN THE LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON by Line Kikkenborg Christensen Thesis submitted May 2018 . Thesis submitted: 31st of May 2018 PhD supervisor: Associate Prof. Simon Turner, University of Copenhagen Assistant PhD supervisor: Associate Prof. Bjørn Møller, Aalborg University PhD committee: PhD Series: Faculty of Social Science, Aalborg University ISSN: ISBN: Published by: Aalborg University Press Skjernvej 4A, 2nd floor DK – 9220 Aalborg Ø Phone: +45 99407140 [email protected] forlag.aau.dk © Copyright: Line Kikkenborg Christensen Printed in Denmark by Rosendahls, 2015 Cover photos by Signe Ravn-Højgaard (Copyright). Front cover: The Thinker from Paro. Back cover: Goooooodmorning Trongsa. Normalsider: 78 sider (á 2.400 anslag inkl. mellemrum). Standard pages: 78 pages (2,400 characters incl. spaces). CV Line Kikkenborg Christensen holds a Master of Social Science in Development Studies and International Relations from Aalborg University and a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Aarhus University. She worked as a research assistant at Global Refugee Studies at Aalborg University before becoming a PhD fellow in the University’s Department of Social Science. ENGLISH SUMMARY In Bhutan, old codes of secrecy are part of the political culture. This creates societal silences around politically sensitive issues such as ethnicity, citizenship and the domestic conflict of the past. This article-based thesis raises the overall question: what forms of societal silence exist in Bhutan and what consequences do they have for the political culture of the country? Four articles answer this overall question. The article ‘Freedom of Speech and Silent Youth Protest in Bhutan: ‘Plz Delete it from Your Inbox’’ contributes to our understanding of silence as sensitivity and how obliviousness, self-censorship and silent protests play out in the political culture of Bhutan.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy with the United Nations Democracy Fund And
    Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy with The United Nations Democracy Fund and United Nations Development Programme “Strengthening Media and Civic Education to Enhance Democracy in Bhutan” FINAL EXTERNAL PROJECT EVALUATION Conducted by Ms. Chimmi Dolkar for UNDP Bhutan, July 2013 Table of Contents Acronyms .................................................................................................................. 3 Glossary of Terms .................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 4 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Democratic transition in Bhutan .............................................................. 9 1.2 Importance of CSOs in the democratic transition ............................... 10 2. The Project and its Developmental Context .............................................. 11 2.1 Project Initiation ...................................................................................... 11 2.2 What the project sought to achieve ........................................................ 12 2.3 Purpose of the Evaluation Study ............................................................ 12 3. Evaluation Methodology................................................................................ 13 3.1 Project Monitoring & Evaluation ..........................................................
    [Show full text]