Photo: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan visiting SSE on June 7.

In 1972, Bhutan introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness, challenging the global focus on GDP by placing human wellbeing at the heart of national development. More than 50 years later, the country that sparked a worldwide conversation is turning to a Swedish research center to continue that journey.

The Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness (CWWH) at SSE has entered a five-year collaboration with Bhutan’s Royal Institute for Governmental Strategy and Studies (RIGSS), to focus on joint research, education and outreach, grounded in the belief that wellbeing and development can reinforce both productivity and prosperity.

“This collaboration is about more than academic exchange,” says Professor Micael Dahlen, founder and director of CWWH. “It’s about building the frameworks and knowledge we need to support a different kind of progress – where happiness is not a soft value, but a serious force in shaping better outcomes for society and the economy.”

CWWH was established with a mission to explore how wellbeing and happiness can become actionable, measurable, and integrated into decision-making across sectors. 

The partnership includes supporting Bhutan’s national wellbeing strategy – including the vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new urban project designed to integrate wellbeing, nature and innovation at every level of planning. CWWH will also establish a satellite presence in Bhutan, further expanding the center’s international role in advancing research, teaching and dialogue on wellbeing-led development.

“Our goal from the start has been to help create a happier, healthier society, both in Sweden and beyond,” says Dahlen. “We’re very happy to be able to make use of our knowledge to make an impact on the other side of the world.”

The first initiative will be the Happy Progress Forum, hosted in Bhutan in September 2025. The event will gather researchers from the Nordics, the US, UK, Japan, South Africa and New Zealand to share insights on how wellbeing can guide policy, business, and community development.