On the 4th and 5th of June, Royal Thimphu College was honored to host the International Conference on Leveraging Cultural Diversity in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and with support from the European Union.
The Director of RTC, Dasho Tenzing Yonten, welcomed a packed auditorium of students, faculty, observers, conference participants, and honored guests. Following the welcome address, Dasho Karma Ura of the Center for Bhutan Studies gave the keynote address in which he focused on the theme of culture in economy, history, politics, and education. Besides the addresses, the highlight of the inaugural session was the cultural performances of the ethnic groups in focus for the conference: the Lhops from Lotokuchu Village and the Rais of Lumbay Village in Samste, and a group from Nganglatrong Village in Zhemgang.
The technical sessions of the first day ranged in scope from the development of Zorig Chhusum in Bhutan to studies of the various ethnic groups by anthropologists, ethnomusicologists, sociologists, and other disciplines. In the last session of the day, various musical performances brought some variety to the academic presentations and was well-received by the audience.
The second day’s focus was more on applying cultural leverage for socio-economic development and multicultural awareness. Sessions during this day included several case studies from similar development projects in India and Nepal. In the afternoon, roundtable discussions provided an opportunity for more interaction amongst the audience and presenters alike. The last session was especially enriching as it was an opportunity for community members from Lumbay, Lotokuchu, Khengkhar, and Nganglatrong to share their stories and experience. Many in the audience – including the Bhutanese – were unfamiliar with these groups, languages, and cultural traditions and were more enlightened after the session.
The end of the second day offered a plethora of cultural experiences that many in the conference expressed was their favorite part of the two days. There was an indigenous foods demonstration which included many exotic foods not found in most of Bhutan, a handicrafts demonstration by members of the Khengkhar community, an offering of products by Tarayana, and musical performances from the communities of Lotokuchu, Nganglatrong, Lumbay, and two groups from the Kirat culture of Dagana. Dr. Karma Phuntsho gave the closing address in which he focused on the intangibles of culture and the promotion of community participation in cultural preservation. He also echoed many discussions within the academic portions of the conference when he argued that culture is a fluid and dynamic process. The cultural events and closing dinner was also honored by the presence of the Secretary of Education Aum Sangay Zam and Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, Dasho Pema Thinley.
- Matthew Schuelka, Lead Rapporteur