The Gross National Happiness Centre Australia
Through education, collaboration, and cultural exchange, we're bringing Bhutan's transformative GNH philosophy to reshape our understanding of progress and prosperity.
Creating a new measure of success
The Gross National Happiness Centre Australia (GNHCA) is a pioneering initiative that brings the heart and soul of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy to our shores. As a radical reimagining of success that puts human flourishing and planetary wellbeing at the centre, GNH offers a transformative lens for sustainable development, policy-making, and societal progress. The GNHCA aims to be a vibrant hub for collaboration, learning, and championing GNH principles in Australia, catalysing a shift towards a more holistic and regenerative vision for our collective future.
Launched in partnership with SGA Labs, the GNHCA represents a natural evolution of Small Giants' longstanding relationship with Bhutan, which began in 2012 and blossomed into our first Impact Safari there in 2018. This collaboration embodies Small Giants Academy's commitment to nurturing game-changing initiatives that accelerate our journey towards a thriving society within planetary boundaries. Through the GNHCA, we're inviting individuals, organisations, and policymakers to embrace a new story of development—one that places the wellbeing of people and planet at the heart of how we measure success in the next economy.
The five key focus areas
GNHCA’s mission is built upon five foundational focus areas. These key pillars guide our efforts and shape the outcomes we seek to achieve, paving the way for a more balanced society.
Coordinate
We're creating a hub for GNH collaboration in Australia. Our aim is to nurture a thriving community, weave connections between our members, and be the go-to resource for organisations ready to embrace GNH principles. Through this coordinated approach, we're seeding GNH concepts across the country, cultivating fertile ground for a new measure of success.
Promote
We're bringing GNH to life through captivating public events and cultural celebrations. Picture annual gatherings featuring Bhutanese cuisine, storytelling, and insights from inspiring speakers. These events are our way of introducing GNH to a wider audience, inviting them to reimagine what progress can look like.
Educate
We're on a mission to deepen understanding of GNH through immersive learning journeys. From our annual trip to Bhutan to thought-provoking masterclasses and retreats, we're creating spaces for transformative GNH education. Through these diverse experiences, we're empowering people to bring GNH principles to life in their own contexts.
Support
We're catalysing GNH-inspired initiatives across many sectors. Our annual symposium is a melting pot of ideas, bringing together visionaries and practitioners to explore how GNH can revolutionise education, business, government, and public service. We connect like-minded people and facilitate partnerships that amplify the impact of GNH-inspired projects.
Fund
We're building a sustainable financial ecosystem to fuel this mission. Our fundraising events in Melbourne and Sydney are more than just about raising funds—they're platforms for spreading the word about GNH, inviting more people to join this movement towards a more holistic measure of societal success.
The story of Bhutan & GNH
Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom nestled between China and India, is a land of untamed wilderness, ancient forests, and a vibrant, living culture. Steeped in Buddhist values, Bhutan has preserved much of its rich heritage while embracing forward-thinking innovation. This beautiful tension between tradition and progress is exemplified in the country's revolutionary approach to development: Gross National Happiness (GNH).
In 1972, long before the rest of the world even considered such a concept, Bhutan planted the seeds of a radical idea. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, declared, "In Bhutan, Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product." This bold statement marked a significant departure from conventional development models that chase GDP growth above all else. Instead, Bhutan chose to put happiness and wellbeing at the heart of its politics, economy, and culture.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The GNH philosophy promotes a holistic approach to development that, while not rejecting economic progress, asks: what if we measured success by how well we nurture human flourishing and planetary health? The Gross National Happiness Index was created as a compass, encompassing both traditional areas of socio-economic concern and often-overlooked aspects like cultural vitality, community strength, and psychological wellbeing. This index guides policymaking and creates incentives for government, NGOs, and businesses to increase societal wellbeing and happiness.
In 2015, Bhutan took another pioneering step by proposing the incorporation of GNH values into business. Recognising that profit-at-all-costs models were unsustainable, Bhutan developed an assessment tool for integrating GNH into business operations. This approach measures a business' success by its ability to create shared value across its entire ecosystem of stakeholders. As His Majesty the 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck stated, "Gross National Happiness has come to mean so many things to so many people, but to me it signifies simply—development with values."
Bhutan's GNH journey offers the world a powerful alternative narrative, demonstrating that even a small nation can lead the way in redefining what truly matters for societal wellbeing and sustainable progress.
Upcoming events
Get involved
By supporting the Gross National Happiness Centre Australia, you're helping us pioneer a more holistic framework for national success. Your contribution nurtures a future where wellbeing and sustainability are at the heart of progress.
Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Connect with us.
