The Bhutan Canada Foundation and Cushing Academy will host a symposium to explore the question, “What does education in the 21^st century look like?” In particular, what are the ideas, best practices, and pedagogy that will most effectively lead to the development of sustainable happiness amongst students? Through collaboration, discussions, current issue debate, and the presentation of case studies we aim to focus on four key areas:  Values, Identity & Leadership; Experiential Education & Cross Cultural Learning Expeditions; Global Partnerships in Education; Technology as an Essential Instructional Tool.

Applications to present will be accepted through May 31^st. To find out more about the conference, to apply to speak,  or to register please visit: www.educatingforhappiness.org 

On April 27, in Missoula, Montana, The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation and Environment (UWICE) and the University of Montana (UM) signed a letter of intent to support Bhutanese students in the area of forestry, wildlife biology and geography.

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The Bhutan Foundation would like to congratulate Dr. Tashi Zangmo, Executive Director of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation, for being the 2012 recipient of the Mary Lyon Award from Mount Holyoke College. The Mary Lyon Award is given to a young alumna who demonstrates promise or sustained achievement, which is consistent with the humane values which Mary Lyon, exemplified in her life. Tashi has been awarded for her tireless efforts to change the lives of women and girls in Bhutan through the Bhutan Nuns Foundation

]]> http://bhutanfound.org/?feed=rss2&p=2403 0 http://bhutanfound.org/?p=2393 http://bhutanfound.org/?p=2393#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:32:34 +0000 kuenga.yarphel http://bhutanfound.org/?p=2393

It’s an OPEN and FREE public event at the Burke Auditorium. Please feel free to join us at this event!

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Teaser of The Yak Herder’s Son from Bhutan Foundation on Vimeo.

On Sunday, March 18th, 2012 the DC Environmental Film Festival which takes place every year during the Spring in Washington, DC featured three films on Bhutan at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History which was followed by a Panel Discussion.

The event featured The Yak Herder’s Son, 86 centimeters, and Bhutan: Land of the Black Necked Crane. The Yak Herder’s Son and 86 centimeters made their first debut premiere in the US and producers of both the films, Mr. Tshewang Wangchuk (The Yak Herder’s Son) and Mr. Henk de Jong (86 centimeters) were present. Dr. Bruce W. Bunting, President of the Bhutan Foundation moderated a Panel Discussion about the films and Bhutan. The panel consisted of the two producers and Ms. Tshering Yangzom, Program Officer of the Bhutan Foundation.

The Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History was filled with an audience from not only Washington, DC but also from all over the United States. Visitors at the museum were invited to attend the viewing of these films not only portraying the beauty of Bhutan’s environment, but also the risks that Bhutan faces with the challenges of rapid development and Climate Change.

The Bhutan Foundation continues its efforts to create greater awareness of Bhutan in the United States.

86 CENTIMETRES (Bhutan / Netherlands, 2011, 38 min.)

United States Premiere Bhutan is one of the hot spots of environmental preservation on earth as 70 percent of its surface is covered with forest and it hardly contributes at all to CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, it is facing the undisputable effects of global warming as melting ice continues to weaken the walls of the Himalayan glacier lakes. If the lakes should burst, the lives of thousands of people and animals will be endangered and the fertile arable land in this hidden kingdom destroyed. The only way to prevent such a disaster is to dig a drainage system and lower the water level of Lake Thorthomi by six meters over a period of three years. The film follows an army of 350 farmers, students and workers, who climbed the Himalayan Mountains for the first three-month expedition, which resulted in a reduction in the water level of 86 centimeters. Directed by Peterjan van der Burgh Tshering Gyeltshen. Produced by Henk de Jong.

BHUTAN: LAND OF THE BLACK NECKED CRANE (USA, 2011, 15 min.)

Embark on an exotic journey to the small Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan high in the Himalayan Mountains. See how a benevolent king promotes Gross Domestic Happiness for his citizens while fostering respect for the environment and natural resources. Travel with George Archibald, Co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, to see the rare and endangered black necked cranes. Directed by Greg Pope and Rhett Turner. Presented with: Bhutan Foundation

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The Kidu mobile medical unit under the People’s Project of His Majesty the King went to some of the remote villages in Bumthang and provided free medical services to the villagers. The unit comprised of three medical specialists, dentists, eye technicians and health workers from the National Referral Hospital and Lungtenphu military hospital in Thimphu.

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Bhutan Foundation is much pleased to know our portable ultrasound probe donated to His Majesty’s Kidu Foundation is out and reaching the people of Bhutan as part of this Mobile Medical Unit.

Bhutan Foundation is pleased to be a part of this Public Health Program.

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Snow Leopard from Bhutan Foundation on Vimeo.

Bhutan’s northern mountains harbor healthy populations of endangered predators such as snow leopard, and their main prey blue sheep. The area is also shared by red fox, wild dog, leopard, tiger and golden cat, among others. People living in these regions maintain large herds of domestic yak.

These camera trap footages provide exciting evidence of these animals. All images were captured in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park.