“Individual or even national success is a ship that cannot carry everyone together to the same place at the same time. Rich nations must stop to be mindful of the poorer ones left behind. Successful people must stop to remember those who didn’t make it. No nation today can stand alone in achievement. Time is slowly telling us that there can be no lasting individual success without success as a community and there cannot be lasting national progress and success if it does not fit into a future of global peace, harmony and equality. The world must progress together or fail together.”- His Majesty the King.
Opening
Last weekend I was speaking to a Bhutanese friend and I mentioned that I would be speaking today on issues connected with Inequality, Narrowing the gap, Egalitarianism, inclusion and Human Rights and his advice was that some of these words are very high and whatever I say needs to be very practical.
Another friend mentioned that she is growing tired of ‘Semdha Nosam Thingo and suggested that Yang Dak Pai Dren Pa (or Right Mindfulness) is more appropriate.
Bearing this in mind, I decided to be guided by what is called the Gandhi Talisman’s which goes like:
Whenever you are in doubt about your work, apply following test. Recall the face of the poorest and weakest woman or man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you are considering is going to be of any use to them.
Today I have three key messages that I would like to convey on behalf of the 26 UN agencies that work in Bhutan.
Leaving No One Behind depends on data: if u can’t count the vulnerable, they don’t count.
Knowledge products produced by the Government and UN here in Bhutan provide great insights on vulnerability and the best actions to help vulnerable people
Yang Dak Pai Dren Pa (Right Mindfulness) can help may bring better results
Closing
Please allow me to end with a quote from the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
“Let us be clear: we are far from where we need to be. We are off track. Deadly conflicts, the climate crisis, gender-based violence and persistent inequalities are undermining efforts to achieve the goals.”
“And we see the impact of inequality more and more, not only among countries but within each country, and we see the disquiet in so many societies because people feel frustrated that they are left behind.”
Thank You and Tashi Delek.
The members of the National Council led by the Chaiperson, Thrizin Tashi Dorji, signed the Book of Condolences for the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, at the UN House in Thimphu and is open till Friday, August 24, 2018. Kofi Annan passed away on August 18.
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