ecoliteracy.org

December 7–12, 2009: In 1972, Bhutan adopted "Gross National Happiness" (GNH) as its guiding principle for integrating sustainable development with environmental conservation and preservation of the country's ancient culture and traditions. The prime minister recently launched an initiative to introduce GNH principles into the educational system at every level. Center for Ecoliteracy executive director Zenobia Barlow served on an international team of experts advising the government for this project. The team convened with Bhutanese policy planners and international development experts on December 7–12 in Thimpu, Bhutan to plan a multi-year project for creating a curriculum grounded in mind, heart, spirit, and action. The meeting embraced five learning approaches seen as consistent with GNH principles: holistic education, contemplative education, indigenous knowledge, critical thinking—and ecoliteracy.

Along with Barlow, participants included Vandana Shiva, Satish Kumar, Cheryl Charles, Sanjit Bunker Roy, and Center for Ecoliteracy  board member David W. Orr.