Announcing the Bhutan Biodemocracy Conference 2020
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused dramatic loss of human life worldwide and we are confronted with an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems, and economies in different parts of the world. The question of resilience has never been more urgent.
While Bhutan has faced the severe challenges around Covid-19, we Bhutanese have been most fortunate to be guided by His Majesty The King during this unprecedented time of uncertainty. Bhutan’s cautious and timely response, to manage a real and ever growing threat of the pandemic, has spared us the agony and anguish that many continue to experience. Creating compassion and a sense of volunteerism deep within our diverse communities, and inviting support from our constant friends and neighbours, His Majesty’s relentless visits to meet communities, to inspire confidence in our response, has once again reminded us of why the Monarchy in Bhutan is the symbol of our unity.
The pandemic is not over; far from it, challenges lie ahead of us. Problems have changed, priorities have shifted and the need for solutions have grown in urgency. It is important to strengthen our understanding of Bhutan’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to recognize our resilience. How did we respond as a society? Were our policies and institutions responsive enough? What are/were our most pressing challenges? What have we learnt? Guided by some of these questions, the Center for Local Governance & Research in partnership with the University of Westminster’s Centre for the Study of Democracy will be organizing a two-day Virtual Bhutan Biodemocracy and Regional Conference 2020 on December 21 and 22, 2020. While specifically focused on the pandemic, this conference builds upon our First Bhutan as Biodemocracy: Building Socioeconomic and Environmental Resilience Conference of July 2019.
Objective
Complacency is not a viable option. It is important that we learn from the experience of this pandemic to build learning on biodemocracy and resilience. We need to reflect on the ways to minimize health risks and economic vulnerabilities, as well as to build upon the spirit of volunteerism and community leadership that sustains us through these times and uncertainties posed by climate-related crisis, social and economic turbulences, and other changes unraveling before us.
By bringing together Bhutanese to share experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the world in unprecedented ways including Bhutan, in an informal and non-partisan space, we aim to generate discussions and dialogue, addressed at strengthening our resilience.
The panel discussions will cover these five thematic areas and will be streamed online.
Organising Team:
Sangay Khandu and Tharchen, Center for Local Governance & Research, Thimphu, Bhutan
Dr Nitasha Kaul, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster, London
December 21, 2020
1030 – 1040 hrs Introduction by the moderator
1040 – 1140 hrs Presentation by the speakers
1140 -1210 hrs Q & A session
1210 -1220 hrs Summary and conclusion by moderator
1220 – 1330 hrs Break
December 21, 2020
1330 – 1340 hrs Introduction by the moderator
1340 – 1440 hrs Presentation by the speakers
1440 – 1510 hrs Q & A session
1510 – 1520 hrs Summary and conclusion by moderator
1520 – 1600 hrs Break
DECEMBER 21, 2020
1600 – 1610 hrs Introduction by the moderator
1610 – 1730 hrs Presentation by the speakers
1730 – 1800 hrs Q & A session
1800 – 1810 hrs Summary and conclusion by the moderator
End of day 1
December 22, 2020
1000 – 1010 hrs Introduction by the moderator
1010 – 1110 hrs Presentation by the speakers
1110 – 1140 hrs Q & A session
1140 -1150 hrs Summary and conclusion by the moderator
1150 – 1330 hrs Break
December 22, 2020
1000 – 1010 hrs Introduction by the moderator
1010 – 1110 hrs Presentation by the speakers
1110 – 1140 hrs Q & A session
1140 -1150 hrs Summary and conclusion by the moderator
1150 – 1330 hrs Break
DECEMBER 22, 2020
1630 – 1730 hrs: Round Table discussion (joined by moderators from each panel)
1745 – 1755 hrs: Remarks by Dr Nitasha Kaul, Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), University of Westminster, United Kingdom
1755 – 1800 hrs: Closing by Center for Local Governance & Research, Bhutan
We invite participation from Bhutanese nationals who wish to make presentations of their work. You are kindly requested to register.