Multimedia

On this page you can find an array of multimedia from ASAP contributors

What you need to know about the New Development Paradigm

What is the New Development Paradigm? Experts from around the world gathered in Thimphu in early 2013 to debate the New Development Paradigm. Here’s a quick summary on everything you wanted to know about the new development paradigm but didn’t know who to ask. What is the role of Bhutan? The tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has played an essential role in getting the debate started about how do we want to shape our future. Are we focusing on the right metrics? Is it all about GDP? Listen to experts from Bhutan and around the world on what really matters.
Where do you see the world in 50 years? We asked experts gathered in Thimphu how they see the world in 50 years time. Will it still be business as usual? Will things get worse before they get better? What will be the role of technology? Listen to this fascinating exchange of views.

In-Depth Interviews from Compton Verney, UK (Autumn 2013)

Robert Costanza on the Need for Coordinated Action: “Renowned ecological economist Robert Costanza details what he sees as the greatest threats and opportunities to the world we live in today. Bob also sheds light on the need for a coordinated response from the ever growing number of organizations and initiatives all of whom are working towards the same goal of a new development paradigm” Debra Roberts Talks Cities and the North-South Divide: Debra heads the governmental planning and climate protection department of the Ethekwini municipality in Durban – South Africa. She shares a unique view on how cities and communities will be shaped in the future, and speaks about the North-South divide and how development policies will only succeed if they are created together rather than imposed on one party.”
What Specific Initiatives Should We Drive Towards? There are so many areas we could turn our attention to; education, health, the environment, a new system of growth… Listen to experts on the specific initiatives they would like to focus on.

In-Depth Interviews from Bhutan: 12 Experts give Hard Talk (January 2013)

Entrepreneur and Sustainability Expert Ashok Khosla: Ashok is one of the world’s foremost experts on sustainable development. In this interview he talks about the complex set of issues we all have to deal with today and how his vision for the future is more about what we are rather than what we have. Jacqueline McGlade on Tough Politics: As Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, Jacquie explains the disconnect between our ambition to live on a finite planet and our ability to take those tough decisions, whether our politicians or in our daily lives. Jacquie also explains how the new development paradigm seeks to focus on who we are and how we want to live.
An Interview with Eric Zencey: Eric details how human well being is directly related to a sustainable economy. He also dissects the loss of any social connection and how we will have to re-establish them sooner rather than later. Eric’s works focuses on the ways in which economic practices, political institutions, and our ideas about them have to change to reflect the reality of a finite planet. David Suzuki’s Hard Talk on the Environment: Renowned academic and environmentalist David Suzuki gives his view on how we have reached a crisis point and what is needed is a different way of looking at the connection between development and the environment. David argues that there must be a higher goal than just more, than just growth.
Frances Moore Lappe talks Living Democracy: Renowned writer and activist Frances Moore Lappe gives us an insight into the fear of lack with which many of us live with today, as well as the prevailing cynicism which abounds in her home country the U.S. In this interview, Frankie takes us on a journey as to how we can create a new way of living, one in harmony with everyone and everything else on the planet, and one where we can create what she has termed ‘Living Democracy’. Emmy Award Winner John de Graaf: John reminds us that the pursuit of happiness was already coined as a political objective more than 200 years ago by Thomas Jefferson. During his interview, the emmy award winner explains how Bhutan is proving an example of the pursuit of happiness and the importance of time balance.
Dasho Karma Ura on Gross National Happiness: Karma Ura undoubtedly is one of the world’s most renowned experts on Bhutan and its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. He takes us on a journey on how GNH came into being and how happiness can be applied as a development objective. An Interview with Tashi Choden: As Director of the Secretariat for the New Development Paradigm, Tashi discusses how GNH is not all about money or growth. It’s about recognizing one’s needs and striking a balance between desires and wants. Tashi also sheds light on how the Bhutanese live by the principles of GNH, from the local villagers to the Royal Family.
Kate Pickett on Inequality and Violence: British Epidemiologist, author and researcher Kate Pickett sheds light on the connection between inequality and violence in societies. In this fascinating short clip, Kate details how disrespect has come to being one of the single most important motivators of crime. Listen to Kate as she explains the need for a society based on citizens’ well being. Iceland’s Kristin Vala Ragnarsdottir on Education and the Natural World: Renowned geologist Kristin Vala Ragnarsdottir depicts the disconnect between education and the natural world. She argues that politicians do not understand that everything is connected and part of one system. Vala goes on to explain the importance of community and of working together.
Manfred Max-Neef on Barefoot Economics: Chilean economist Manfred Max-Neef details his now famous phrase “the economy is to serve the people, not people serve the economy.” Listen to Manfred as he details how the pursuit of happiness is not that novel an idea, having been actively and openly sought after back in the 17th and 18th centuries. Richard Wilkinson Talks Consumerism and Inequality: British social epidemiologist, author and advocate Richard Wilkinson lays bare the inequality in today’s society and the endless pursuit of consumerism. In his interview, Richard gives some stark insights as to the connection between health and happiness and how society today is rigged towards being richer when human contact and a purpose in life is what we ultimately seek.

Other Features

Experts behind the scenes – Outtakes 1: Time out! Filming always has its share of mishaps, so we’ve kept the best and put them together for your enjoyment! David Suzuki on Bhutan TV: David Suzuki is interviewed on Bhutan’s television channel BBS. David explains how Bhutan’s principles of GNH are the best thing he has heard in the 50 years he has been an environmentalist. He argues for a step change away from the big economy to a renewed focus on the environment.
L. Hunter Lovins Interview on Bhutan TV: Listen to author and sustainable development promoter L. Hunter Lovins as she is interviewed by Bhutan’s television channel BBS during the expert working group meeting in Thimphu. Hunter explains how companies behaving sustainably are more successful in business and how Bhutan’s GNH principles can tell a better story for development and lead to a higher quality of life. Richard Wilkinson’s TED talk: Listen to British social epidemiologist, author and advocate Richard Wilkinson as he speaks at TED on how societies with huge income gaps are somehow going wrong. Richard presents the hard data on economic inequality, and shows what gets worse when rich and poor are too far apart.
Experts behind the scenes 2 – Outtakes: After all the serious talk, take a look at how even experts can slip up during interviews. A pure delight!