SJI playing a humble role in strengthening local governance

28 local leaders, recently (re)elected, from 7 districts visited Samdrup Jongkhar (SJI) as part of the 10 days training in leadership and management conducted by Sherubtse College for the Department of Local Government, Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs. The aim of the field visit was to learn from SJI’s experience and to understand how local government, community and a CSO-led project collaborated for larger public good and appreciate the benefit.
As a GNH laboratory, SJI not only endeavored to consciously design its programs but also endeavoured to deliver them being totally mindful of the quintessence of GNH (e.g. income, productivity, etc. vs communal sharing, nutrition sufficiency, balance, harmonious co-existence, etc.); it also endeavoured to work collaboratively with the stakeholders. E.g. Waste, whether household, industrial, e-waste, medical, etc. being a consequence, direct or indirect, of development had to be dealt holistically, going beyond simply picking litters and dotting places with dustbins.
The event was organized at Menchari, the designated model GNH village. Menchari elders and youth also shared their story with the delegation. Responding to a question on youth migrating to towns after college, a youth representative with conviction and passion said, “I’ll come back after my graduation (4 years) and stand for gup’s election!”
Healthy food and drink were served with local products and nutrition consciousness (the regular SJI way). Oil, salt, sugar and tealeaf were the only foreign products consumed.
Mangmi, tshogpa and agriculture extension officer (AEO) of Orong gewog also participated in the event. AEO shared her experience working with a CSO-led project, SJI. The delegation was accompanied by officials from the Department of Local Government and Sherubtse College.

Participants

At home?