The 2nd conference of the International Society for Bhutan Studies, February 4–6, 2025 Kyoto, Japan
This conference continued the ISBS philosophy and provided an opportunity to think together about global happiness and well-being based on the latest research findings on Bhutan.
- As the ISBS is multidisciplinary, the conference featured papers on topics from linguistics to history, natural science, Buddhism, economics, business, and so on.
- As the ISBS promotes research excellence, papers reflected the cutting edge international research on Bhutan.
- As the ISBS seeks to support Bhutanese scholars, both junior and established, this conference featured their voices alongside international scholars.
- As the ISBS seeks to create intellectual community and academic exchange so the conference provided spaces for mentoring, networking and sharing.
- As the ISBS seeks to contribute to the happiness of future generations, so the ethos of our exchange was to engage both the guardians of culture and tradition and those able to use the research to enact positive change.
- As the ISBS seeks to be inclusive, we welcome gifts that supported the participation of all scholars.
Message to the participants of the the 2nd conference of the International Society for Bhutan Studies
ISBS 2025 has successfully concluded all of its sessions.
We appreciate all the participants for warm cooperation, and wish the continuous prosper of international Bhutanese Studies and well-being of every beings in the world.
See you again in the near future !
ISBS 2025 Team
Programme of the ISBS 2025 Kyoto Conference (PDF)
Article in Kuensel about the ISBS 2025 Kyoto Conference (PDF)
Organizing Committee of the ISBS 2025 Kyoto Conference
International symposium ‘The Future of Well-being’
The international symposium ‘The Future of Well-being’ was held as a part of the ISBS 2025 Kyoto Conference on 7th February 2025.
The symposium focused on the concept ‘well-being’, which plays a central role in the politics, economy, and culture of contemporary Bhutanese society. Dasho Dr. Karma Ura and Professor Sabina Alkire, two leading scholars in current Bhutanese and well-being studies, gave insightful talks concerning well-being and its future.
Symposium ‘The Future of Well-being’ timetable
The symposium was supported by the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (KAKENHI), and Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society (IFoHS).
Watch the video of the international symposium ‘The Future of Well-being’ on IFoHS YouTube channel