A group of more than 100 Taiwanese children met with former Bhutanese prime minister Kinzang Dorji yesterday to learn about his country’s unique approach to creating a happier nation.
The children, ranging in age from five to 12, were particularly interested in the educational aspects of Bhutan’s efforts to raise its “gross national happiness” (GNH) index, and asked questions such as what Bhutanese children do for fun and how they handle the pressures of school.
Asked if Bhutan has cram schools and if students there usually have a lot of homework, Dorji said the answer is “unfortunately, yes.”
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
However, the spirit of education is to allow children to interact with their teachers and classmates to pursue knowledge together, he said.
“We try to develop the curriculum to fit different aspects of children’s lives,” Dorji said, adding that students are taught to share with others instead of looking for individual happiness.
He said the four main pillars of the initiative to raise his country’s GNH index are sustainable development, good governance, preserving and promoting cultural values, and maintaining the natural environment.
The GNH index covers three major indicators — economic and social conditions, physical and mental health, and family and social connections — all of which can be measured in concrete terms by a person’s satisfaction at work, sense of poverty or riches, average lifespan, paid holidays and other factors, Dorji said.
A 12-year-old student surnamed Chuang (莊), said he was inspired by Dorji because they share the same beliefs in life.
“I will try to spend more time with my parents and sister so we can enjoy the good moments in life more often,” he said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS