Can Bhutan's New Megacity Help Reduce High Youth Unemployment & Brain Drain? | CNA Correspondent
Summary
TLDRThis 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
🏞️ 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.
🌱 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.
🤔 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.
🌟 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.
🌄 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bhutan
💡Altitude
💡Youth Unemployment
💡Mindfulness City
💡Gross National Happiness
💡Brain Drain
💡Conservation
💡Cultural Identity
💡Economic Growth
💡Sustainability
💡Traditional Bhutanese Cuisine
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]
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