Author
Assoc Prof Sonam Tshering
Organisation/Institution
Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law)
Country
BHUTAN
Panel
Law and Society
Title
How Gelephu Mindfulness City's Hybrid Legal System Advances Sustainable Justice and Regional Economic Integration in Asia
Abstract
Bhutan is often described as a small nation where Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the developmental guiding principle propounded by the Fourth King of Bhutan in the 1970s. For many, Bhutan is dubbed the Last Shangri-la. However, in recent times, thousands of the most productive citizens, including seasoned health professionals, engineers, bankers, lawyers, and teachers, left the country to find better opportunities in countries like Australia. The reports reveal a lack of adequate opportunity and low income as the main reasons for them to leave. To address this, Bhutan took a radical step by creating a city in the southern part of Bhutan named Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) through a Royal Charter in 2024. This city is built on the concept of one country, two systems through a strategy called the diamond strategy. This means, for twenty years, Bhutan will be divided into two parts, where GMC will embrace the Common Law System, and the rest of the country will continue with the existing system and for another twenty years, the two systems are expected to merge to form one country, one system. This city is expected to have a global Spiritual, Health and Wellness Centre, Education and Knowledge hub, Agri-Tech and Forestry Centre, Green Energy and Technologies Centre, Finance and Digital Assets་ centre, Aviation and Logistics Services and eco-conscious tourism. Each of these areas is designed to follow the principle of mindfulness – a sustainable development. With the establishment of this city, Bhutan is expected to integrate not only with the South Asian Region but across South Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond, bringing a unique sustainable city modelled on GNH. This paper aims to discuss how this city is being designed and how it is expected to generate a new legal knowledge based on GNH and sustainable development with mindfulness.
Biography
Sonam Tshering currently works full-time faculty member of law at the JSW School of Law as an Associate Professor of Law. He also shoulders the responsibility of Associate Dean for the Office of Research, Library Services and Archives. He also chairs the Law School’s Research Ethics and Review Committee. He teaches contracts, civil and criminal procedure courses, media and privacy, commercial and contracts drafting courses and comparative public procurement. He also writes a weekly legal op-ed for Bhutan’s largest and oldest national newspaper, Kuensel, spanning over six years, producing more than 280 op-eds on social rights, accountability and economic rights of people. Sonam is also the Chief Legal Counsel for Druk Justice Legal Consultancy and practices law. He has published and attended numerous international conferences. Sonam holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) from George Washington Law School, USA, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from New Law College, BDVU, India, a Post-Graduate Diploma in National Law from Royal Institute of Management, Bhutan and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from University of Delhi, India. Sonam worked with the JSW law for over eight years, and worked with the Parliament of Bhutan as Parliamentary Committee Secretary and Legislative Officer. He also worked as a legal officer and public prosecutor to the Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority and legal advisor to the Narcotic Control Board and Tobacco Control Board, Royal Government. Sonam is a seasoned lawyer in legislative drafting, where he drafted not only bills in Bhutan but also international conventions.
