Raising the Next Generation of Leaders in Bhutan

In Bhutan, a transformation is taking place to empower the nation’s youth to become champions of social impact. Through the social innovator accelerator UPSHIFT, now active in 47 countries worldwide, Bhutanese children, adolescents, and young people are honing 21st-century skills to drive positive change in their communities.

From the remote corners of Trashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan to the bustling streets of Thimphu in the West, over 15,000 Bhutanese children and young people aged 9 to 24 in 189 schools, 10 youth centres, and seven colleges have been equipped with the agency and skills they need to make a tangible difference in their lives and their communities through an accumulated 2 million learning hours of learning.

Drawing inspiration from their lived experiences, these young innovators are tackling a wide range of challenges, from environmental conservation to mental health awareness, and from gender equality to inclusive education.

In the remote Tshatshi Primary School, in the far eastern district of Pamagatshel, students are experimenting with producing fruit juices to replace alcohol in their communities, developing an innovative solution to a problem they perceive as directly affecting their community. Another group are using tech and coding skills to develop learning and counselling platforms, while others chose to design prototypes to clean clogged drains and dusty classrooms.  

“People think children don’t know much, but the UPSHIFT programme has made children like us part of the solutions in our communities,” says Rinchen Yoezer Wangmo, a 12-year-old school student and UPSHIFTer.  

The integration of UPSHIFT into Bhutan's national education systems through UNISOLVE, UPSHIFT’s digital delivery tool, played a pivotal role in the programme’s remarkable reach and impact in such a short time. In its first years of implementation, UPSHIFT was present in 22 per cent of all Bhutanese classrooms. 

Designed as a partnership effort between UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development in Bhutan and NGOs, UPSHIFT was introduced to deliver the country’s vision to prioritize 21st-century skills and innovation among Bhutanese youth. 

Since then, UPSHIFT has been integrated into key policy initiatives such as the Scouts programme and the new Business and Entrepreneurship school curriculum, both developed to support the Bhutanese educational reform in 2022 to transition into competency-based learning with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Through UPSHIFT, the government is building the right environment for the development of future leaders in the country.  

 “UPSHIFT complements the ongoing reform in the education sector, including Bhutan Baccalaureate, which has been adopted as the main platform for school education reforms emphasising technology and other 21st-century skills,” says Mr. Karma Galay, Director General, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Bhutan.  

Under the new steer, educators in Bhutan turned to Richard Turere’s famous TED talk, “My invention that made peace with lions” to inspire students across the country. Richard is a young man from Kenya who, when he was only 13, ingeniously devised a solution to safeguard his community’s herd from the threat of lions. Since then, Richard, now 23, has emerged as a role model and symbol of social innovation for young people in Bhutan, embodying values closely aligned with Bhutan’s reverence for nature and harmonious living. Richard’s TED talk has since been integrated into the UPSHIFT curriculum. 

“The power of young minds to think differently and champion social innovation is the beacon of hope lighting the way to a brighter, more compassionate future.”

Richard Turere, Founder & Inventor of Lion Lights. 

“I am delighted that my journey inspires so many young people in Bhutan, encouraging them to seek solutions within their community that will make a difference locally and globally”, says Richard.  

The seamless integration owes much to the role of teachers in its delivery. As UPSHIFT mentors, they play a significant role in the student’s learning journey. Recognizing the importance of their involvement, UPSHIFT provides comprehensive training and support, equipping them with tools and pedagogical approaches that go beyond the UPSHIFT experience and facilitate innovative learning experiences in the classroom. 

“People often talk about innovations, but never about the skills involved to innovate,” Nim Dorji, teacher at Gedu Higher Secondary School in Chukha district. 

“The youth were initially hesitant to speak up, but by the end of the programme, they confidently pitched their ideas. Among others, the participants came up with the idea to make kerosene out of waste,” says Phuntsho Choden, a youth centre manager in Samdrupjongkhar district. 

In Bhutan, teachers serve not only as mentors and guides but also as champions of youth empowerment, nurturing the creative potential of their students and fostering a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

“Compared to schools in urban areas, students in remote areas have lower competency skills and comparatively low self-esteem. With UPSHIFT, I believe students will learn to think out of the box and make good use of the resources around them,” says Phub Lham, a young teacher at Sonamthang Central School in the remote community of Phangbang, in central Bhutan. 

By engaging policymakers and education officials early on, UPSHIFT gained the support and buy-in needed to scale its impact nationwide. The Bhutanese government aims to reach a 100 per cent delivery rate - ensuring that every young Bhutanese can become a changemaker.

"UPSHIFT represents a paradigm shift in education, emphasizing practical skills and problem-solving abilities essential for the 21st century. We are preparing our youth to thrive in an ever-changing world,” says Sonam Wangchuk, Youth and Adolescent Development Officer at UNICEF Bhutan.

As UPSHIFT continues its journey towards building the next generation of changemakers around the world, Bhutan is an exemplar of the initiative’s potential to reach millions of young people globally.