RENUKA RAI
Thimphu
A wave of young policy thinkers gathered in Bhutan’s capital for the Leadership Policy-thon, an intensive two-day event held at the Royal Textile Academy on March 18.
Organized by the Bhutan Chevening Alumni Network, the initiative aimed to address key challenges related to gender, leadership, and governance, bringing together 28 college students from across Bhutan alongside experts in these fields.
The Policy-thon provided a platform for participants to analyse policy gaps and develop bold, actionable solutions for a more inclusive governance framework.
Over two days, students engaged in expert-led workshops and intensive policy design sessions, refining their ideas before presenting them to government officials, civil society leaders, and international partners at a high-profile conference.
The event was attended by Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, as the chief guest. Five policy reform groups competed to propose impactful solutions, with the team advocating for greater inclusion of women and girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics) education securing first place. Their policy proposal highlighted how bridging the gender gap in STEAM fields could economically empower women while advancing Bhutan’s national development.
The second-place team impressed decision-makers with their proposals on enabling women’s economic participation, focusing on removing financial and structural barriers that hinder women from entering and excelling in the workforce.
Their teams tackled equally pressing issues, presenting policy proposals on LGBT+ inclusive health interventions, the importance of women’s representation in politics, and comprehensive reforms to combat gender-based violence.
For many participants, the event was a transformative experience. Pelden Samdup, a student from the College of Science and Technology (CST), shared how the Policy-thon introduced him to LGBTQ+ issues, which he had not deeply explored before.
Reflecting on the event, he said, “Before this event, I didn’t know much about LGBTQ+ issues, but this experience opened my eyes to the challenges faced by these communities. It was an eye-opener and helped me understand the importance of inclusivity in policymaking.”
He also spoke about the challenges he and his team faced in developing their proposal within the short two-day timeframe, saying “We had to come up with our idea in such a short time, and it was challenging. But working under pressure taught us valuable lessons about teamwork and problem-solving.”
Additionally, the event had a profound impact on his perspective on politics and governance. He admitted that he had never been particularly interested in politics before but left the Policy- thon feeling inspired.
“I have never been a political person, but this event made me see how important policymaking is. It has motivated me to engage more with governance and contribute to positive change,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Rigsar Wangchuk, President of the Bhutan Chevening Alumni Network, emphasized the significance of the Policy-thon. He said, “This Policy-thon is more than just an academic exercise—it’s a platform for young people to be heard, to influence governance, and to propose real solutions for gender-inclusive leadership in Bhutan.”
Bhutan Chevening Alumni Network (BCAN): BCAN is committed to fostering a community of Bhutanese Chevening scholars who strive for academic excellence, professional growth, and meaningful contributions to society. Through our initiatives, we aim to create lasting connections and support the intellectual and professional development.
