Druk Chirwang Tshogpa’s 25 Areas of Interest

Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT) has been formed by a group of dedicated and committed people from varied background ranging from professionals to people from the grassroots with the intention to bring positive change in the country. DCT is different from other political parties because DCT recognizes all current political, economic, environmental and social issues are interrelated and interconnected. Thus, our strategic interventions cover multi-dimensional approach including both shorter and longer term solutions. With the motto – Unity, Prosperity and Happiness, DCT intends to work towards strengthened sovereignty, transparent and accountable democratic governance, politically united, active citizenry, inclusive and equitable growth, sustainable and people-centric development, economic prosperity, environmental conservation, cultural cohesion, social harmony and with the enabling conditions for the people of Bhutan to pursue Happiness.

DCT’s approach
DCT is a people-centric party with greater responsiveness to citizens needs offering newer ideas, newer solutions and newer alternatives with innovative approach to address the varied current challenges faced by the country today.

DCT’s Wisdom
DCT draws its strength from its female President who draws on her multi-dimensional perspective and approach towards any policy decision made by the Party. The President’s strength as a women enables the Party to understand the current issues and challenges in the country not only from the physical dimension but more importantly from multi-dimensional perspective covering psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects. This approach will result in more people/human-centric policies, activities and programmess that is responsive to the needs of the people in a holistic manner. According to the President, “political power is a necessary platform to achieve concrete positive reforms for my country and in being part of the change that I want to see, rather than attaining political power as an end in itself.”

The following are top 25 areas of action for the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa:

1. Establish and advance transparent and accountable governance with active citizenry. Because the very essence and purpose of democracy is defeated if governance is not accountable in every way to the people we serve and if people’s participation is not encouraged;
2. Promote vibrant democracy with strong, independent media and civil society. Because Bhutan needs vibrant conscience-keepers without fear;
3. Promote economic prosperity and self-reliance by encouraging research, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship while ensuring equity, balanced regional development, and the sustainable use of natural resources;
4. Promote inclusive growth with people centric development approach that focuses on improving local communities’ self-reliance, social justice, and participatory decision-making;
5. Endeavour to develop and execute policies that will address the socio-economic gap between regions, Dzongkhags and people; Without this, social and economic parity between people and regions cannot be achieved. Bhutan can only prosper if there is balanced social and economic development;
6. Minimize inequalities of income, concentration of wealth, and promote equitable distribution of public facilities among individuals and people living in different regions of the country;
7. Promote greater participation of women in all spheres with gender responsive policies and family friendly policies. Because Bhutan can only prosper not only when her women is happy, safe and secure but when policy decisions are responsive to all sections of the society;
8. Empowered youth for progressive Bhutan involving opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills, and abilities into their adulthoods complemented with appropriate structures; creating supportive relationships; providing positive social norms and opportunities for skill building built on a foundation of scientific research through multi dimensional approach;
9. Strong basics of livelihood by promoting enabling conditions for people to pursue happiness by ensuring that all have access to basic necessities such as safe drinking water, food, shelter, accessible healthcare and education, safeguarding the rights and freedom of our people, addressing varied social issues and instituting disabled-friendly policies;
10. Ensure a good quality of life for the people of Bhutan by addressing the root causes of growing social issues (rape, domestic violence, murder, robbery, divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide, orphans, destitution and homelessness) with policy interventions, targeted programmes and care for those in need;
11. Address the needs of the rural population through infrastructure development programmes, better connectivity, rural employment, enhancement of economic opportunities and targeted interventions for alleviating poverty and addressing human wildlife conflict by promoting and supporting research into effective HWC solutions;
12. Encourage and foster private sector development with supportive environment for its growth;
13. Foster professionalism at the workplace, and the efficient and responsive delivery of public services by every government organization;
14. Encourage excellence in civil service delivery with implementation of systematic performance appraisals and efficient management systems;
15. Promote social justice, cultural harmony and equality to all our people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, region, gender, social origin, disabilities or language;
16. Strive to create conditions that will enable the sustainable development of a good and compassionate society with universal human values;
17. Protect and conserve our pristine environment and pursue renewable natural resources projects that promise sustainability;
18. Preserve and promote our rich traditional, cultural, religious and spiritual heritage as the essential basis of our national identity;
19. Expand and improve education services with emphasis on standards, quality and accessibility, values and skills for full development of the human personality;
20. Improve the delivery of health services with an emphasis on quality of service and preventive measures;
21. Institute a food safety programme with subsidies to encourage more organic farming;
22. Promote faster, safer travel in Bhutan. Because we can only progress when all parts of the nation are easily accessible and we move faster;
23. Root out corruption by correcting and addressing the systemic flaws and enhancing awareness;
24. Promote friendly relations and goodwill with the international community on the basis of peace, cooperation and the sovereign equality of states; foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in order to promote international peace and security;
25. To play a responsible and constructive role in regional and global affairs and in particular to further strengthen the close and collaborative relationship and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.

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From DCT President Lily Wangchuk

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