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AFG Mindfulness Retreat
Leadership & Dialogue
22 May 2026
The heart of the summit’s institutional programme. Today is built around high-level meetings — with the Bhutan Youth Development Fund’s senior leadership, a royal audience window, and a forward-looking session with Gelephu Mindfulness City officials. The day closes with a curated networking dinner at one of Thimphu’s most distinguished venues.
09:00: Meeting with Bhutan Youth Development Fund
A two-hour meeting with YDF’s senior management team. The Bhutan Youth Development Fund is the country’s leading civil society organisation for youth development, established in 1998 under Royal Decree. Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, it advances education, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, and leadership development rooted in the principles of Gross National Happiness.
📍 Zhiwaling Ascent Hotel, Thimphu
11:00: Networking & Lunch
An extended networking session with YDF senior management, followed by a hosted lunch. An opportunity for deeper one-on-one conversations with Bhutanese institutional leaders and fellow summit participants.
📍 Zhiwaling Ascent Hotel, Thimphu
14:00: Royal Audience Window
A reserved audience window at Raven House, within the Ministers’ Enclave. Subject to final confirmation. This is a rare and distinguished moment in the programme — an opportunity to engage directly with Bhutan’s royal and institutional leadership in an intimate setting.
📍 Raven House, Ministers’ Enclave
15:45: Gelephu Mindfulness City Session
A meeting with officials from the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) — His Majesty The King’s visionary initiative to establish an economic hub grounded in conscious and sustainable business, Buddhist spiritual heritage, and the uniqueness of Bhutanese identity. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group in collaboration with Arup, the masterplan includes an international airport, green infrastructure, and civic spaces representing the nine domains of Gross National Happiness.
📍 Zhiwaling Ascent Hotel
18:30: Curated Networking Dinner
An evening of curated conversation and connection at The Pema — one of Thimphu’s finest venues. A thoughtfully designed dinner that brings together retreat participants, YDF leadership, and invited guests for an evening of meaningful exchange.
📍 The Pema, Thimphu
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For more information about AFG’s mindfulness retreats, leadership immersion programs, and upcoming retreat schedules, please email us: emilie.zhao@aforgood.org
