Developing with Values: Tsogpa Networks, Urbanization, and Wellbeing in Bhutan

Bhutan influenced the UN with its Gross National Happiness policy, which prioritizes “Development with Values” and measurement of wellbeing over purely economic indicators. Situating our work in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we will discuss research we have completed on the effects of development in Bhutan, looking at how wellbeing (SDG3), inequalities (SDG10) and food security (SDG2) are affected by economic growth (SDG8), infrastructure growth (SDG9) and emerging urban lifestyles (SDG11). Urban lifestyle changes create new problems for those in cities, but also for those in rural contexts. We will discuss the experiences of those left in the rural areas, those choosing to migrate, and those forced to migrate to cities. We will also look at the ways modern influences (e.g., networking apps) are used to preserve ties with ancestral village