UNICEF Bhutan commits to scalable and lasting impact for all children

Rushnan Murtaza, a national of Bangladesh, with over 28 years of experience in international development, humanitarian responses, partnerships and policy advocacy assumed the role on April 14, 2025.

With three months of living experience in Bhutan, could you share about your initial impression of the country, its situation and the children?

In a single word, I would describe my initial experience as ‘overwhelmed’. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Bhutan as the plane glided through mountains and landed at an airport. My connection with Bhutan dates back to 1987 when I first visited the country as a student, admiring the nation’s unique approach to happiness and environmental harmony. Today, what I see is far beyond imagination. The vision, wisdom and deep commitment of His Majesty the King are reflected in governance of the country and, even more so, in the spirit of its people. This is beyond leadership—it is enlightened stewardship and difficult to replicate.

Visiting and interacting with educational institutions and the children across both rural and urban settings, I have felt something powerful: a spark. These young minds are curious, bright, and joyful. That sense of joy and inquiry speaks volumes. It tells me they have hope, but it also signals a need for deeper attention to ensuring the wellbeing of every child, adolescent, and young person. But these challenges are not unfamiliar to the country. The conversation is not so much about what needs fixing, it’s more about how we continue improving.

Considering your experience with Bhutan in 1987 and your 28 years of global experience in development and humanitarian actions, what unique perspectives or approaches do you hope to bring to Bhutan?

Looking back, 28 years sometimes feels daunting. Each country I have worked in has its own rhythm, its own set of challenges and dynamics—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Bhutan is different. It does not ask for handholding. The vision here for children and young people is strong and clear. For example, in many countries, delivering therapeutic nutrition is celebrated as life-saving. But in Bhutan, that is just the beginning. True change takes root when not only families facing food insecurity, but also those who are food secure begin to embrace dietary diversity. It is about shifting mindsets, not just meeting immediate needs. That kind of progress calls for a wider lens, one that sees the full picture and is guided by a clear, value-driven narrative.

What makes Bhutan special is that you can’t approach it with “business as usual.” There’s power in allowing ourselves to experiment with “modelling” solutions that can be scaled up if successful. This journey is about being able to rethink, to reimagine, and to stay grounded in humanity. For Bhutan, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is an example—that’s what makes the finish line worth chasing.

In light of Bhutan’s transition from ‘business as usual’ and the holistic approach of the GMC, how do you see UNICEF’s role evolving, particularly with the country’s graduation from LDC status?

I want to congratulate the country on this milestone. Transitioning from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a higher middle-income country is not just a mark of economic success; it’s a reflection of a powerful national vision. For UNICEF, this moment is a signal to press the “reset” button. Our role needs to evolve, adapt, and align with the country’s changing needs and aspirations.

One area is supporting the generation of globally comparable data on children. With strong data comes stronger advocacy, enabling increased investments, sharper policy decisions, and more tailored, strategic planning. In addition, our focus, aligned with the national vision, shifts toward identifying and implementing sustainable and affordable solutions that can be scaled. Bhutan, although doing comparatively better in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, requires financing to reach a higher score. This requires both continued and new donors, broadening private sector partnerships, and smarter investments, especially in preparing youth and children for a fast-changing 21st century.

Having led key programmes on education, HIV prevention, and adolescent development across multiple countries, what lessons do you think could be adapted for Bhutan’s youth and education sector?

I have learned over the years that we must truly listen to children and young people. Not in a tokenistic way but in a manner that shapes how we plan, design, and deliver our programmes. Intergenerational dialogue is essential, as the exchange of perspectives opens up possibilities we often do not see.

For instance, when I took up an assignment on HIV prevention among young people, I was initially hesitant, coming from a relatively conservative background where conversations around sexuality, especially for young girls, were rarely encouraged. But working with adolescents, listening to their stories, and understanding their reality changed my perspective entirely. Their voices helped shape programmes that contributed to a real reduction in HIV among youth.

Education in Bhutan is already forging ahead, preparing its youth for the 21st century through digitalisation and future-ready skills. Another key insight is that families and communities are powerful learning environments beyond the classroom. So, reinforcing values at home and empowering families to understand and respond to the evolving needs of the generations is not just helpful, but foundational.

Bhutan is facing emerging challenges like mental health concerns among youth, climate change, and digital safety. Which of these areas do you see as urgent priorities for UNICEF’s early interventions under your leadership?

We cannot prioritise one over the other when we want to address the challenges holistically. Many of them are also interrelated; for example, mental health can be a manifestation of online bullying, climate-related challenges, and unemployment. So, if we address some of the fundamentals, it may address the others. In Bhutan, work has already started in addressing climate change. We have been able to support the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0, reflecting the voices of young people and including the social sectors in Bhutan’s climate policies through the NDC 3.0, which is yet to be finalised. Moving toward digitalisation warrants an online safety framework, and we are working closely with the government so that young people have access and are, at the same time, equipped to identify risk factors and stay safe online.

UNICEF in Bhutan has made strong gains in child protection and gender equity. What further steps do you believe are needed to deepen these impacts, especially for children in remote or vulnerable communities?

UNICEF’s work in Bhutan started in 1974 with support for its rural water supply and sanitation programme. Over time, its work expanded to improving the lives of children, youth, and women in other key programmatic areas: maternal, newborn, and child health; education; water, sanitation, and hygiene; child protection; adolescent development; and communication for development.

Today, opportunities are equal for both men and women in Bhutan, but are they truly making the best use of what is available to them? Is there a need to invest in upskilling them to access these opportunities? The government has enacted laws and is committed to a fully functioning system. The need now is to continue working toward creating a system that is sustainable and scalable, so that a child in a remote village is able to access the same service within the same time as a child in an urban area. This requires multi-sectoral coordination at all levels.

Bhutanese youth are increasingly vocal about their future -climate, skills, and well-being. How will you ensure their voices shape UNICEF’s programmes and advocacy?

Despite the challenges Bhutanese youth face, I want to reaffirm that Bhutanese youth are privileged. What I have seen here is a rare and extraordinary commitment to listening—to truly hearing the views of children and young people. Of course, not every solution can be found overnight, and not every concern can be resolved immediately. What matters is that their voices are articulated in Parliament for debate and that their concerns are reflected in the national plans. Bhutan has shown that youth engagement is not an afterthought. UNICEF’s role is to amplify inclusive voices, especially those of children in remote areas.

You have served in both fragile and stable contexts, from Sierra Leone to New York. What have these contrasting environments taught you about building resilience in children and communities?

That’s a powerful question. Over the years, I have come across a few mantras—little truths, really—that have shaped how I see resilience. For me, resilience is the ability to manage disappointment and still rise again. Working in countries that had just come out of conflict, only to be hit by public health emergencies right after, taught me a great deal. Yet, because of their resilience, those communities did not just survive; they learned and adapted and built something even better than what they had before.

Walking through slums where children had almost nothing and slept on the street, but they dreamt of becoming someone so they could protect other children like them, that’s the kind of resilience that inspires change. Resilience should be a foundational element in every skills-building programme.

The interview was published in Kuensel, the national daily on July 25, 2025. The article is available at  https://bit.ly/4mMhqhz