CORE
PROGRAM

Session 1 - Day 1

The Inspirational Story of Bhutan: An Enlightened Leadership

Bhutan is landlocked by the world’s two most populous countries. This tiny Himalayan nation of 750,000 has managed not only to maintain its sovereignty, but also to obtain a voice on the global stage due, in part, to its unique development philosophy - Gross National Happiness or GNH.

Session 2 - Day 1

Gross National Happiness: A Decision-Making Lens for Policy, Life & Business 

In 1972, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, declared that Gross National Happiness, not Gross National Product, be the principal measurement of His nation’s prosperity. By doing so, Bhutan chose a “multi-dimensional development approach that seeks to achieve a harmonious balance between material well-being and the spiritual, emotional and cultural needs of our society.”  This big idea is not all talk. For example, Bhutan’s constitution requires the country to maintain 60% forest cover. Today, it is the world’s only carbon sink, absorbing nearly four times the amount of carbon it produces annually.

As more leaders across the world learn about GNH, including your fellow W4I attendees, they ask: “What are the applications of this holistic development philosophy to my own life, to my family and my business?”

Session 3 - Day 1

Our Health & Our Happiness: Becoming Our Best Selves

For centuries, Bhutan’s leaders have recognized the responsibility of the government to support and promote the happiness of its people.  This belief was formalized in 1972 as Bhutan’s Fourth King stated “gross national happiness is more important than gross national product” and has become synonymous with the country’s identity.

In this session, we explore the drivers of true happiness, framed by the four pillars of GNH and informed by many years of carefully curated data and insights. More importantly, we will use this as a basis to examine our own lenses toward health and happiness to ask the question” How can we be our best selves?”.  What can we learn from this special Himalayan kingdom and their philosophy on health and happiness, as an inflection point into our own lives and how we measure important markers as we journey to become the best self we can be.

Session 4 - Day 2

The Investment Case for Women: Outsized Returns

Women are the world’s largest developing market today, representing twin the size of India and China combined. By 2028, female consumers will control around $15 trillion of global consumer spending and they represent the single largest investment opportunity in the world today. Research has also shown that when female entrepreneurs succeed, so do their families, because women devote more of the household budget to education, nutrition and health leading to outlived returns on the social bottom line. From an economic and social standpoint, the case for investing in women is stronger than ever now. Yet women still lack access to capital, skill, knowledge and opportunities.

In this session, learn the issues around the emerging but powerful socio-economic trend as we discuss:
What conventions do we need to challenge to build a more equitable world?
Why is it an important time to invest in women and the impact we can expect?
What kind of roles can we play in the economic empowerment of women?

Session 5 - Day 2

The Characteristics of Great Leaders: Serving Others First

The world’s great leaders inspire us to strive for goals we believe to be unattainable. How do they encourage us to overcome inertia?  While each person is unique, certain qualities are common across great leaders. The world’s best demonstrate servant leadership, using the needs of the many as the guideposts on their journey.

In this session, we demystify what makes a great leader. We pierce through the general discussion of leadership and transcendent orators, seeking bedrock in the traits of the leaders we aspire to emulate. With these traits identified, we will explore the amplification of these attributes within your own behaviors, style and comfort zone.

Session 6 - Day 2

The Rule of Law & Good Governance: The Greatest Enabler

Living in freedom protected by fair, just laws and supported by efficient, pragmatic governance unlocks the full potential of humanity. Concern and anxiety are replaced by confidence and innovation. Energy and passion can be focused on positive endeavors that benefit the whole of society.

In this session, we explore the principles, policies and mechanisms employed by the most respected, productive governments around the globe. We learn how leaders advocated for change, discuss how to carry these important messages back home and begin formulating strategies to support marginalized people in our own communities.

Session 7 - Day 2

Preserving Culture Wisely: The Key to Diverse & Inclusive Societies

For thousands of years, we humans have toiled for food, water and shelter, communicated our hopes and dreams through song, poem and conversation, and practiced customs to celebrate and pass down our beliefs and values. While geographies, climates, flora and fauna vary tremendously, the core human condition is remarkably consistent. By valuing and preserving cultural diversity we learn from those whose perspectives are different than ours, enabling our own spiritual and emotional growth.

In this session, we discuss the context and conditions that support cultural diversity and a society’s broad appreciation of the differences in belief systems, values and customs that make humanity so interesting.

Session 8 - Day 3

Conserving our Environment: All Life Depends on It

Our world is deeply interconnected, full of relationships and complexities we are only beginning to understand. As an example, phosphorous in the dust picked up from the Bodélé Depression in Chad naturally fertilizes the Amazon rainforest, the “lungs of the planet”. Unfortunately, the impact of human life on our planet is proving to be just as interconnected, with detrimental and accelerating effects on coral reefs, sea levels, air quality…the list goes on. As humans, we must learn to live within the means provided by mother nature through adoption of sustainable practices rooted in environmental conservation.

In this session, we understand the policies and practices in Bhutan and other parts of the world that promote reverence, care and sustainability for the precious resources our lives depend on. Importantly, we will discuss practical ways for you to be change-makers in your own communities, leading both by example and through high-impact, fact-based advocacy.

Session 9 - Day 3

Equitable Socio-Economic Development: Prospering Together for Growth

Maximizing the health and vitality of our communities is dependent upon equitable socioeconomic development. Eradicating poverty, promoting human health, advancing education and providing diverse economic opportunities are necessary ingredients for the long-term peace, prosperity and happiness of our societies.

In this session, we explore the philosophies and models employed in successful communities around the world. Learning from experts and through discussion with attendees, you will return home inspired by new ideas and supported by a global network of change-minded leaders.

Session 10 - Day 3

Men4Women: Accelerating Movement on A Two-Way Street

There isn’t a better time for men to make a mark in history as now. From "He for She” to #meToo, the call for gender equality has evolved into a powerful social movement with more force than ever before, as women around the world demand real and tangible change in both attitudes and opportunities for the advancement of women. Men are called upon to play an equally important role today, in empowering and to benefit from the wider sea of change that is creating a more equitable and sustainable world for generations to come.

Join this session to understand:
What are the key drivers in this social movement and how have they evolved?
The importance of the role men place in the social movement.
Demystify the controversy and movements taking place around the gender equality.

Connect with like-minded individuals for an invigorating session on how to navigate and participate in this social revolution.

Session 11 - Day 3

Women4Bhutan: Our Brains on 3 Projects of Purpose

As we will have learned in the previous days, Bhutan is full of extraordinary women who are making a positive impact on their country and its people.

In this session, we will be joined by several women entrepreneurs whose businesses and NGOs are solving complex problems and improving the quality of life for average Bhutanese. In breakout sessions, they will present their projects and a key challenge. With interactive discussion, we will use the group’s collective brainpower to shortlist opportunities to overcome obstacles, accelerate growth and scale impact.

Session 12 - Day 4

The Wrap: Collective Action for 2020

What experiences have brought us closer together in the 4 ideals of peace, democracy, sustainability and equality? What insights have we gained in achieving greater clarity in the roles we play to empower and encourage women in creating a better world?

In this closing session, we revisit the learnings and reflect on the past 4 days, not to say goodbye but to take the first step toward of journey of being awakened and empowered women through the experiences, friendships and insights we gained so far. Deep dive with us as we share the heartening stories, conversations we heard and new ideas that spark the actions toward a more sustainable and equitable world.