Can Bhutan's New Megacity Help Reduce High Youth Unemployment & Brain Drain? | CNA Correspondent

Summary

This video script explores Bhutan's ambitious project, the 'Mindfulness City,' aiming to harmonize traditional values with modern development. Amidst high youth unemployment and brain drain, Bhutan seeks to redefine capitalism through a city that integrates conservation, Buddhist mindfulness, and technology. The script delves into the country's cultural identity, its struggle to balance progress with tradition, and the government's efforts to create a sustainable, mindful urban utopia that could change Bhutan for generations.

Takeaways

• 🗻 Bhutan, known as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon', is situated between India and China and is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural traditions, and Buddhist faith.
• 🏙️ The country is facing a significant youth unemployment issue, with 29% of young people unemployed and many seeking opportunities abroad, leading to a 'brain drain'.
• 👑 The Bhutanese government, led by Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, is concerned about the economic impact of the pandemic and the need to rebuild the economy with a focus on youth employment.
• 🌆 Bhutan is proposing a new city, the 'Mindfulness City', as a response to these challenges, aiming to create a harmonious blend of technology, conservation, and Buddhist philosophy.
• 🏞️ The Mindfulness City project will span over 1,000 square kilometers, larger than Singapore, and includes plans for a new international airport and protected natural zones.
• 🛠️ Despite ambitious plans, the construction of the Mindfulness City has yet to commence, with only artist renderings and special administrative zones currently in place.
• 🤔 There is skepticism about the feasibility of the Mindfulness City, with no concrete details or public commitments from foreign stakeholders or investors.
• 💡 The concept of 'Gross National Happiness' is central to Bhutan's philosophy, emphasizing well-being, cultural values, and environmental sustainability over material wealth.
• 🌱 The country is exploring a new form of capitalism that coexists with its traditional values, termed 'mindful capitalism', aiming for economic growth without sacrificing societal harmony.
• 🌟 Bhutan's leaders see the Mindfulness City not as an experiment, but as the start of an 'epic journey' that aligns with the country's cultural legacy and aspirations for the future.
• 🌐 There is a sense of optimism and a 'can-do' spirit among the Bhutanese people, who are eager to embrace change while preserving their cultural identity and values.

Q & A

What is the primary concern of Bhutan's Prime Minister regarding the country's economy?

The primary concern is the high youth unemployment rate, which stands at 29%, and the brain drain, as many young talents are leaving the country for better job prospects abroad.

What is the significance of the term 'drul' in the context of Bhutan?

Drul is the local name for Bhutan, meaning 'the land of the thunder dragon,' reflecting the country's cultural identity and its mythical status as a paradise in the Himalayas.

How does Bhutan's population demographics impact its economy and job market?

Bhutan has a very young population, with half of all Bhutanese being younger than 27 years old. This demographic pressure exacerbates the issue of unemployment, as there are not enough jobs for the youth.

What is the 'Mindfulness City' project in Bhutan, and what is its purpose?

The 'Mindfulness City' is a grand vision announced by King Jigme Kesar Namgyel Wangchuk, aiming to create a new utopia in harmony with the country's conservation efforts and Buddhist mindfulness philosophy. It is intended to be a technologically advanced place that attracts the brightest minds.

How does the proposed 'Mindfulness City' align with Bhutan's commitment to environmental conservation?

The 'Mindfulness City' will be flanked by two large protected natural zones and will utilize green energy from a hydroelectric dam, reflecting Bhutan's dedication to natural conservation.

What is the current status of the construction for the 'Mindfulness City'?

As of the script's recording, construction has yet to take off, with only artist renderings and some infrastructure like an international airport and an abandoned town being part of the project.

What is Bhutan's approach to economic growth in the context of the 'Mindfulness City'?

Bhutan aims to achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability, proposing an alternative form of capitalism that coexists with the country's values of mindfulness and well-being.

How does Bhutan's concept of 'Gross National Happiness' influence the 'Mindfulness City' project?

The 'Mindfulness City' is deeply influenced by the concept of 'Gross National Happiness,' which prioritizes well-being, cultural values, and environmental sustainability over material wealth, and is a key pillar of the project.

What are some of the challenges Bhutan faces in implementing the 'Mindfulness City' project?

Challenges include securing foreign investment, defining the project's concrete details, and balancing the preservation of cultural identity with the need for modernization and economic development.

How do local Bhutanese view the potential impact of the 'Mindfulness City' on their country's future?

Many locals, such as entrepreneurs and cultural figures, view the project with optimism, believing it could be a transformative phase for Bhutan, positioning it on the global map with a focus on social and green values.

What is the significance of Bhutan's cultural traditions and festivals in the context of the country's development?

Cultural traditions and festivals, such as the Paro festival, are a source of pride and a testament to Bhutan's ability to preserve its cultural identity while embracing change and development.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Bhutan's Quest for Change Amidst Nature and Tradition

The script opens with the narrator experiencing the thin air of Bhutan, a country nestled between India and China, known as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon.' The country is celebrated for its raw nature and the serious adherence of its people to traditions and Buddhist faith. The narrator was granted access to explore Bhutan's desire to alter global perceptions and witness the changes firsthand. The capital, Thimphu, is home to 20% of the population but faces a significant youth unemployment issue, with many young talents leaving for better job prospects abroad. The Prime Minister discusses the economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and the high youth unemployment rate, which is causing a 'brain drain.' The script also mentions the King's initiative for a 'Mindfulness City,' an ambitious project aimed at creating a harmonious blend with nature and Buddhist philosophy, attracting the brightest minds for a technologically advanced future.

05:02

🌱 Envisioning a Mindful Utopia in Bhutan

The second paragraph delves into the 'Mindfulness City' project, an ambitious plan to create a utopia in harmony with Bhutan's conservation efforts and Buddhist mindfulness. The city promises to be a technologically advanced place, with a focus on environmental sustainability and traditional wisdom. The narrator travels to the proposed site of the city, witnessing the vast expanse and the preliminary stages of development. The city aims to incorporate mindfulness into its design, with green energy and special administrative zones to streamline development. However, the project is in its early stages, with no concrete details or public commitments from foreign stakeholders. The uncertainty of the project's future is palpable, as the narrator explores the site and contemplates the city's potential impact on Bhutan's development.

10:04

🤔 The Philosophical Underpinnings of Mindfulness City

In this paragraph, the narrator seeks to understand the philosophical basis of the 'Mindfulness City' by speaking with Dr. L, a practicing surgeon, former prime minister, and part of the project's working team. The concept of mindfulness is discussed in the context of the 21st century's needs, emphasizing a mindful approach to progress that is unprecedented and globally inspiring. The conversation touches on whether the city represents an alternative to capitalism, with Dr. L suggesting a redefinition of capitalism that prioritizes well-being and sustainability. The Prime Minister also weighs in, describing the project as 'mindful capitalism' that coexists with traditional values. The paragraph highlights Bhutan's unique approach to development, grounded in its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, which prioritizes well-being over material wealth.

15:06

🌟 Bhutan's Cultural Identity in the Face of Change

The fourth paragraph explores the cultural identity of Bhutan and the challenges of balancing tradition with modernization. The narrator meets with locals who share their thoughts on the country's future, including the president of Bhutan's Association, who sees optimism in the king's decision to transform the economy. There's a sense of a 'can do' spirit and an opportunity for Bhutan to position itself globally with its social and green values. The paragraph also touches on the culinary heritage and the desire to protect traditional Bhutanese recipes while adapting to change. The theme of balance is recurrent, as Bhutan navigates its cultural identity amidst the evolution of its society.

20:07

🌄 Bhutan's Journey Towards a Harmonious Future

The final paragraph reflects on Bhutan's transformation over the past 50 years, from a secluded 'Hermit Kingdom' to a constitutional monarchy embracing modernity while cherishing its traditions. The country's leaders are envisioning a 21st-century Shangri-La, a harmony between traditional values and modern aspirations. The script concludes with the idea that Bhutan's journey is not an experiment but the start of an epic journey, with the country taking its first steps towards a future that balances its cultural heritage with the pursuit of Gross National Happiness.

Keywords

💡Bhutan

Bhutan is a small kingdom located between India and China, known as 'the land of the thunder dragon.' It is the main setting of the video, representing a country with a rich cultural heritage and a focus on traditions and Buddhist faith. The script discusses Bhutan's challenges and aspirations, particularly in relation to its youth, economy, and the concept of Gross National Happiness.

💡Altitude

Altitude refers to the height of a place above sea level. The script mentions feeling dizzy at 3,000 meters above sea level, which could be due to the thinner air at such heights. This sets the physical context for the country's geographical challenges and the impact on visitors and residents alike.

💡Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment is a significant issue highlighted in the script, with a rate of 29% mentioned as 'unacceptably high.' This term is central to understanding the socio-economic challenges faced by Bhutan's young population and the potential 'brain drain' as many seek opportunities abroad.

💡Mindfulness City

Mindfulness City is a proposed urban development in Bhutan that aims to integrate technology with Buddhist mindfulness and environmental conservation. The concept is presented as a new utopia, reflecting the country's ambition to create a harmonious living space that aligns with its cultural values and sustainable development goals.

💡Gross National Happiness

Gross National Happiness is a unique metric prioritized by Bhutan that focuses on well-being, cultural values, and environmental sustainability over material wealth. It is anchored in the country's constitution and is a key philosophy behind the proposed Mindfulness City, as well as Bhutan's approach to development and governance.

💡Brain Drain

Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly trained or intelligent people from a particular country. The script mentions that Bhutan is suffering from a major brain drain, with many young talents leaving for countries like Australia, raising concerns about the impact on the nation's development and economy.

💡Conservation

Conservation is the act of preserving, protecting, and managing the use of the natural environment and resources. Bhutan's commitment to conservation is evident in its protected natural zones and hydroelectric projects, as well as its overall environmental policies, which are integral to the Mindfulness City vision.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a cultural group, which is deeply rooted in Bhutan's traditions and values. The script explores the tension between preserving this identity and the need for modernization and change, as Bhutan seeks to balance its rich heritage with the demands of the 21st century.

💡Economic Growth

Economic growth is a central theme in the video, as Bhutan grapples with high youth unemployment and a struggling economy post-pandemic. The Mindfulness City project is presented as a potential catalyst for sustainable economic development that aligns with Bhutan's unique philosophy and values.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video refers to the ability to maintain certain processes or conditions without depleting resources or causing long-term harm. Bhutan's focus on sustainability is evident in its environmental policies and the design principles of the Mindfulness City, which aim to create a harmonious balance between development and conservation.

💡Traditional Bhutanese Cuisine

Traditional Bhutanese cuisine represents the country's culinary heritage and is highlighted in the script as an aspect of cultural identity that some Bhutanese individuals, like the owner of a fine dining restaurant, are keen to preserve and promote. This reflects the broader theme of maintaining cultural authenticity in the face of modernization.

Highlights

Bhutan, known as the 'land of the thunder dragon', is nestled between India and China and is revered for its raw nature and strong Buddhist traditions.

The country faces a significant youth unemployment issue, with 29% of young people jobless and many seeking opportunities abroad.

Bhutan's economy has been severely impacted by the pandemic, highlighting its vulnerability due to its small and shallow economic base.

Prime Minister Chan Top discusses the challenges of unemployment and brain drain, and the need for the country to rebuild its economy with its people.

King Jigme Kesar Namgyel Wangchuk announces the 'Mindfulness City' project, aiming to redefine Bhutan's global image and address its socio-economic issues.

The 'Mindfulness City' is envisioned as a new utopia, harmonizing with Bhutan's conservation efforts and Buddhist mindfulness philosophy.

The city promises to be a technologically advanced place, integrating traditional and modern elements in a unique architectural and societal design.

Gilau, the proposed location for the 'Mindfulness City', is a region with a warm climate and a significant potential for development.

The 'Mindfulness City' project is planned to include a new international airport, protected natural zones, and green energy from hydroelectric dams.

The project faces uncertainty with no concrete details or public commitments from foreign stakeholders or investors.

Dr. L shares his perspective on the 'Mindfulness City' as an unprecedented project that the world can look up to, emphasizing the importance of being mindful in the 21st century.

The concept of 'mindful capitalism' is introduced, suggesting a redefinition of capitalism that coexists with Bhutan's current socio-economic model.

Bhutan's 'Gross National Happiness' philosophy is highlighted, which prioritizes well-being, cultural values, and environmental sustainability over material wealth.

The 'Mindfulness City' is seen as an opportunity for Bhutan to position itself on the global map with its unique social and green values.

The country's cultural heritage and identity are discussed as both a source of pride and a potential barrier to embracing change and development.

Bhutan's transformation over the past 50 years is acknowledged, moving from a hidden kingdom to a constitutional monarchy with a focus on societal harmony.

The 'Mindfulness City' is presented as a journey, not an experiment, aiming to create a balance between tradition and modernity for Bhutan's future.

Transcripts

[Music]

3,000 m above sea level the air here is

a bit thinner than I'm used to and I

feel a little

dizzy it could be the

altitude or it could be the intense

weekl long travel we had here across the

country we are in Bhutan locals call

this place drul the land of the thunder

dragon

a small Kingdom wedged between

superpowered Giants India and

China I heard of its beautiful raw

nature the people here take the

traditions and Buddhist Faith very

seriously and there's also that cliche

about Bhutan being the world's last

changa a mythical Paradise in the

Himalayas caman Satan tunap panan and I

were given rare access to this remote

Kingdom to meet the people who want to

change how the world sees the country

and go where those changes are set to

take

[Music]

place timu the capital 20% of bhutan's

population Liv lives here it has no

traffic lights though things seem to

move along fine on the surface but the

fact is the nation's young people cannot

find jobs this has been a problem since

the early 2000s and it's bad because the

country is so young half of all Banes

are younger than 27 years

old I went to meet the prime minister to

learn more Chan top was already Premier

once for 5 years a decade ago he

returned to the top job after his party

won last year's

elections I ask him what is different

this time around he pointed out one

thing the pandemic has hit our economy

particularly hard and I say particularly

hard because our economy is small to

begin with it is weak it is shallow and

the pandemic hit our economy and when

the pandemic hit our economy uh uh our

economy has not been able to recover as

it should have

one thing that um when you read about

reports about bana is the high youth

unemployment and The Brain Drain and of

young talents leaving the country I mean

obviously that has been a concern even

before you came into office right yes

yes so

uh overall unemployment at about 5%

little over

5.5% uh is more or less manageable but

youth unemployment at 29% is

unacceptably high many of our youth are

going abroad and uh looking for

prospects job prospects outside our

country in the meantime we have a

country to run and this country is a

small country our entire population is

barely 700,000 people so we need people

here also to rebuild uh our economy and

our

country Bhutan is suffering a major

brain drain last year roughly 15,000

cens were given visas to leave the

country with a majority of them going to

Australia that's more than the previous

6 years combined the fear is that many

of them won't return something needed to

change that is also something the

country's highly revered Monarch

recognized in his annual National a

speech last year King jipi kesa namel

wangchuk announced the Gil for

mindfulness City

[Music]

fore fore

[Music]

[Applause]

descending from the Himalayas to the

tropical Plains an uninterrupted flow of

water plants and animals shaped the

mindfulness City cascading Terrace

Fields become Lively neighborhoods

nested along naturally connected

ecologies the Slick promotional video by

an international Architecture Firm

promises a new Utopia one that's

supposed to be in harmony with the

country's conservation efforts and

Buddhist mindfulness philosophy where

the brightest Minds will gather in what

should be one day among the most

technologically advanced places in the

world function follows form dictated by

the environment not the other way around

semiconductors next to wood

carvings artificial intelligence

learning from ancient Buddhist

scripture it sounded too good to be true

like a 21st century

shanga somewhat skeptical I traveled to

gilu to see what this Utopia the

bhutanese have envisioned is really like

[Music]

bhan is a country that's more than 50

times bigger than Singapore to get to

our next destination we had to take a

plane from paru airport an hour outside

the capital in the northwest of the

Kingdom it's a half-hour plane ride a

journey of 240 km but otherwise it would

have required us to drive at least 8

hours through mountain

passes this is gilu population almost

10,000 people located in the south of

the country just as ston throw away from

the border with Northeast

India compared to the mountainous

regions in the north the plains here are

a lot warmer almost

tropical on this day we have to travel

another hour or so a first hint of the

expansiveness of the area airport the

international airport is going to be

arriving at the viewing platform the

bhan tell us we are one of the first

international news teams to see the

place where one day the Glu mindfulness

City will

stand from here we're just seeing a

fraction of

it on the surface this looks like any

other big Mega city project but Galu

here in Bhutan wants to do things

differently they want to incorporate

other aspects that makes Bhutan Bhutan

mindfulness being one of them being also

part of the whole city project name

itself as well the whole project will

span an area of more than 1,000 square

kilm the whole of Singapore would easily

fit in here with room to

spare the G for mindfulness City will

have a new international airport the

country second but it will also be

flanked by two large protected natural

zones in line with the country's

commitment to natural conservation a

hydroelectrical dam will deliver green

energy from the river deltas and there

will be so-called inhabitable bridges

over them at the moment though

construction has yet to take off all we

have right now are artist renderings

showing the idea of

it to speed things along this entire

area will be declared a special

administrative Zone with its own laws

and regulations to cut the amount of red

tape

our guided tour takes us to this

abandoned town on the edge of the Plant

City only the football pitch is

completed a senior official explained to

me this was supposed to be a new campus

and Barracks for conscript soldiers last

year construction was ordered to hold to

the astonishment of many people involved

there until it became clear the place

was demarcated to be part of the

mindfulness City

a potential investor could take over

this existing infrastructure here and

convert it into some sort of urban

living space with homes offices and

recreational

areas it's supposed to be an example of

how this project isn't tearing down

everything for the sake of making

something new But ultimately the fate of

this construction site is uncertain and

that's the general feeling to our visit

to the Future mindfulness

city as we were walking looking through

empty halls and bare buildings I

wondered how soon we would see the first

communities hitting the ground the first

families starting their new lives

here the gal for mindfulness city is a

Grand Vision echoing the likes of all

the other mega cities elsewhere in the

world that might seek to create a new

Urban living Utopia for the 21st

century but there are not many concrete

details yet no foreign stakeholders or

investors have made a public commitment

either so it's all very much early days

yet for the gilo mindfulness

city with a lot of questions still in my

mind about this Mega project I turned to

someone who would be able to answer some

of them these are all Dr L sharing

practicing surgeon former prime minister

and are part of the mindfulness City

working team the first time that I've

seen and heard about the Gil for

mindfulness City the pitch that has was

made by his majesty the king in December

last year it seemed to be a very very

huge undertaking but with a very clear

goal we must have something that is

unprecedented something that the whole

world can look up to on that note uh

many link mindfulness when we say

mindfulness to spirituality to

meditation peace of mind for me uh I

personally feel mindfulness City would

be that we all should be mindful about

what the 21st century needs to be

mindful about what the world needs to be

mindful about our dreams and to be

mindful about what we should do right

and what we should not be doing so with

that I think this is a very very

exciting moment for all of us is this an

alternative pitch to

capitalism well that one could take it

in any way you want it it can also mean

this is the beginning of redefining

capitalism it can very well mean it it

can mean in a totally different sense

all what I don't want this to be linked

to is to be happy with less that is what

we don't mean we want more but in a

manner we design it in a manner that the

human being should be designing it so uh

it will be very difficult uh to rule out

capitalism from here from the Galu mind

City Vision at the same time it will be

very difficult for a conventional

capitalist to come and function in their

City Bhutan is known for its gross

national happiness it's a measurement

that prioritizes individual well-being

cultural values and environmental

sustainability over material wealth

gross national Happiness Is Anchored in

the country's Constitution as a Bedrock

to ensure societal Harmony that is not

driven by endless profits this

philosophy is also a key pillar of the

mindfulness City while allowing for

economic growth at Best of Both Worlds

perhaps which was also how the current

prime minister described it when I asked

him about the gilu mindfulness City if

Bhutan is proposing an anti-thesis to

capitalism I want say

antithesis or an

alternative

uh conscious

capitalism mindful capitalism capitalism

works right I think is good also but

something to coexist with what we have

right now yeah yeah I mean my experience

is the people the more successful people

are monetarily or otherwise financially

or otherwise the more they seek out

other worldly

things they also seek out nature they

want to be with nature they want

to live a sustainable life they want to

leave something for the Next

Generation what the two of them said

about capitalism and mindfulness gave me

something to think about as we drove the

over 8 hours back to timu Bhutan Prides

itself on something that a lot of people

are seeking now in our post-pandemic

world mindfulness

balance whether it's between work versus

life nature versus development growth

versus

efficiency a realignment of values that

material Pursuits are not all that

matters the galal mindfulness city is

aiming to provide a serendipitous

equilibrium a lofty ambition of a small

country more known for its tranquil

modesty but there are some who believe

it's a project that could change the

country for generations to come

[Music]

it's a long ride across the country from

Galu in the south towards the

north at times

bumpy often

twisty and sometimes

rainy along the way we saw raw nature a

source of Pride for the Kingdom's

conservation

efforts and one of the country's many

hydroelectric dams Wan's main energy

[Music]

source after a drive of over 8 hours an

urban sprawl slowly

appears were back in the capital Timo to

meet more locals all with their very own

ideas and thoughts about how bhutan's

future could look

like Sonam choel is the president of

bhutan's Association he has found new

optimism after the king announced his

decision to transform the country's

economy and he believes that this could

be the country's most disruptive and

transformative phase yet some people

just think that Bhutan is too small for

that but I think there is a opportunity

we can be different our our

entrepreneurship in Bhutan is all about

social values green values and these are

themes that the rest of the world is now

embracing these themes so we already

there and this is the time where I feel

our government sort of is very aware of

it now they want us to be uh in the

center spot and they want us to be

empowered and I think Buddha needs to

change not in the sense Our Roots our

spirituality our values but in the sense

how we position ourself on the global

map the sense I'm getting from speaking

to many people here is that Ban's time

is now there is a can do Spirit oozing

out of many we've spoken to and that a

big change has coming to the

country in other parts of the world that

change normally means to act fast break

things and usually not care what you

break in the process but here they're

acutely aware of their cultural Legacy

and want to preserve

it for blue sharing doy it's culinary

Heritage that she wants to protect she

runs one of the country's few fine

dining restaurants with a focus on

traditional bhutanese recipes and

homegrown ingredients while at the same

time elevating the country's Cuisine for

a wider

audience she reflects on whether the

bhutan's cultural Pride stands in

conflict with what's about to

come we are so passionate and um you

know we we give utmost import importance

to our cultural identity but um in ways

I also feel like it holds us back in the

way that mindset you know it's

it's it holds us back in a small way but

in order to grow and to develop and to

look to the Future you're going to have

to leave some of that cultural identity

behind in the sense that the way you

think you know um and only then will we

be able to change people's mindset and

unfortunately it is a sad is sad to to

think that we might have to lose a part

of ourselves in order to grow but that

is the case with every other country in

the world as well it's it's all about

finding the balance how well you keep

your how well or how true you stay to

your cultural identity but also

be open enough to

change balance it is a word I come

across again and again here in

bhan I guess the future of any people

and the cultural identity depends on how

they embrace the evolution of it

[Music]

all we discovered one of these examples

in parro about an hour away from Timo

[Music]

this is the paru a multi-day religious

Festival held every

[Music]

spring this is one of the biggest

celebrations in the

country the display of song and dance

attracts its fair share of

tourists but we foreign guests are

easily outnumbered by the locals

enjoying the social Gathering judging by

the crowd it is a tradition that is

alive and embraced by all

[Music]

generations our time in Bhutan gave me a

glimpse into a country that has rapidly

transformed itself in the past 50

years not too long ago ban was called

The Hermit King

it was hidden from the world the way one

of its most famous sites the Tigers Nest

is here in the country I wouldn't have

been able to visit the kingdom as a

tourist until the

1970s and the country didn't have

television or the internet before

[Music]

1999 Bhutan remained one of the few

countries ruled by King until absolute

rule was abolished in favor of a

constitutional monarchy in 200

8 now the country's leaders are talking

about building a 21st century

shanga a Harmony between opposites that

they feel don't need to be

contradictions where the traditional

past and the present gross national

happiness form the foundation of the

future that's their proposition to an

everchanging more complicated World it

may seem like an experiment

but that's not how the leaders see

it it's not a test bed it's not a it's

not a Sandbox it's the start of a

journey an Epic Journey and like any

Journey it starts with the first step

and here's Bhutan proudly making sure it

puts its right foot forward

[Music]