OUR STORY
Hands for Bhutan Initiative, or the HBI in short, is the first Australian public company and a not-for-profit organization dedicated to forging long term multi-dimensional bilateral relations between Australia and Bhutan. Our work focuses on specific causes under health, education and the environment in an integrative approach, while also facilitating exchange of ideas and perspectives across the cultures.
The initiative was conceived and founded by Tshering Dorji, a Bhutanese national residing in the Australian capital of Canberra, with the help of the following eclectic team of advisors:
1. Dr. Robert Styles, contextual behavioural scientist;
2. Dr. Noam Lemish, an Israeli American Pianist, composer, and educator;
3. Henry Lewis, co-founder and director at Hunter Lewis LLC;
4. Ben Monaghan, Director of Compass Seminars AUS and Mental Health Clinician;
5. Dr. Ngawang Norbu, a Bhutanese ecologist;
6. Dr. Phil Dooley, an Australian physicist; and
This non-homogeneous team brings with it an amazing spectrum of ideas, perspectives and experiences that are not only relevant to the overall vision of the HBI but carries the promise of forging sustainable, happier communities, not only in Bhutan but beyond its boundaries, too.
A former banker, a non-profit worker and a musician, Tshering Dorji was first inspired to set up a non-profit in 2012 in his early conversations with his friend and mentor Dr.Noam Lemish. It all began when someone he knew passed away because of suicide, an irreplaceable loss of an invaluable and priceless human life. The tragic incident left an indelible mark. Although he wasn't close to the person, the untimely demise of a young life, an unrealised potential, an unfulfilled dream coupled with a growing mental health issues in Bhutan affected him deeply that drove him to reflect and look for answers.
Given the sensitivity surrounding suicide and mental health, Tshering remained cautious and continued to follow the issues around the subject, always thinking of ways to bring some help to these important public health areas. He also noticed a common thread between these public health concerns, music and contemplative education which can be cultivated to address the causes he is so passionate about in a holistic and integrative manner.
In late 2016, Tshering moved to Canberra. That was actually when he realised the time and place were right for establishing an initiative. That was how our journey started.
We have since laid the foundation for the HBI and started work on developing programs with our partners to accomplish our mission.
BOARD
Tshering Dorji
Tshering is the founder and Executive Director/Secretary of the Hands for Bhutan Initiative. He has over a decade of experience working in Banking and Finance. Began his career as an auditor and later served as the strategy manager for Bhutan National Bank and Program Director for an American Non-Profit, the Bhutan Foundation.
His experiences include auditing, project management, performance management system, policy formulation, strategy, non-profit and care/support work. He is passionate about social issues, contemplative education and music. In his free time, he writes music. He has produced several Bhutanese albums as a music composer and songwriter. He did his Bachelors of Commerce from Sherubtse College in Bhutan and a post-graduate diploma in music and sound from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, including certification in Mental Health and Disability.
Dr. Robert Styles
A/Prof Robert Styles is working with ProSocial World, an organisation that has developed a change method based on behavioural and evolutionary science that enhances cooperation and collaboration for groups of all types and sizes that is potentially effective on a global scale. Previously he worked as a Deputy Director (Strategic Engagement), Australia Pacific Security College (APSC), Australian National University. In this role he was advising and consulting into the Pacific in order to advance the security agenda of the Region and enhance critical thinking about national security pressures and facilitate initiatives in response to the expanded security areas prioritised by the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders in the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security — climate, environment, human and national/traditional security.
As a Contextual Behavioural Scientist, Robert's applied work is a study of how language and cognition functions to influence psychological and social wellbeing, particularly the enhancement of team and institutional productivity, collaboration and performance. Through the Crawford School, the ongoing application of his research is at the operational nexus of a number of different disciplines including applied behavioural psychology, organisational and cultural sociology, evolutionary science, and systems engineering. This work has been applied in Australia, SW Asia, Africa and most recently in the Pacific, within corporations, public-sector agencies and communities striving to improve strategic and behavioural approaches to human capital development. Particular areas of impact include food, water and energy security, gender equity and social inclusion realised through individual and collective endeavours.
Over the last decade he has advised and mentored over 300 top executives and leaders, and consulted to a range of clients including: the Australian Public Service Commission, NSW Health, Australian National University, Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, Australia Federal Police, NTU Executive MBA Singapore, Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Bhutan Electricity Authority & Senior Government Officials and the China Ministry of Education.
Dr. Noam Lemish
Dr Noam is a pianist, composer, music educator and scholar with roots in Israel and California currently teaching at the York University, Canada and before that at University of Toronto, Canada. He has performed across the US, Canada, Europe, Israel, and in Bhutan sharing the stage with a variety of celebrated artists in a myriad of artistic and cultural contexts. He has several recordings to his credit, including most recently The Turning (2016) and The Magic Clavier Book I (2015). His compositions include chamber, choral, piano, numerous jazz works and “The People’s King”: a commissioned multi-cultural suite in celebration of the King of Bhutan’s 30th birthday composed while teaching music in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan in 2009/2010. It was also during his memorable year in Bhutan that Noam met Tshering where the two collaborated on several musical projects and performances and became close friends. His research focuses on musical transculturation as well as on the pedagogy of improvisation. Noam holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in jazz performance and Master’s in Composition from the University of Toronto.
Henry Lewis
Henry Lewis is a cofounder and Director of Hunter Lewis LLC, an investment management firm based in Charlottesville, VA. He is a Monroe Scholar and Summa Cum Laude graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, fluent in Spanish and proficient in Mandarin. He has worked at the Cultural Office of the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C., the American Institute in Taiwan (the U.S. diplomatic mission to Taiwan), and the Ignition Center, a Virginia based business incubator. He has written or edited books on banking, philosophy, and the Georgian language.
Ben Monaghan
Ben is the Director of Compass Seminars AUS, and Mental Health Clinician with over 30 years experience across a wide range of Mental Health settings.
In 2009 he established Compass Seminars AUS, Australasia's leading provider of Mental Health training to the education, health and social service sectors.
Compass Seminars AUS assists professionals who support vulnerable children, young people and their families and carers. Ben oversees the professional development program for Australia and Singapore.
In 2018 he traveled to Bhutan and on returning to Australia had a chance encounter in Canberra with Tshering Dorji which sparked a partnership committed to improving the Mental Health and wellbeing of Bhutanese community.
Dr.Paul Atkins
Associate Professor Paul Atkins is a facilitator, speaker, mediator, coach, and researcher with a profound 28-year commitment to mindfulness and Buddhist practice that began when he was 18 years old. Since 2009, he has been teaching mindfulness meditation, sharing these transformative practices with over 750 staff members during his tenure at the Australian National University.
Paul co-founded and developed the ProSocial suite of learning experiences at ProSocial World, a nonprofit organization that enhances cooperation and trust in mission-driven groups globally. ProSocial has been utilized in diverse contexts, from slowing the spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone to fostering cooperation between United Nations organizations and improving Australian government performance.
A social and organizational psychologist, Paul serves as former President of the ANZ Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, is a Fellow of the international ACBS, and sits on the board of the World Happiness Foundation. His research focuses on interventions that reduce stress while enhancing relationships, well-being, and cooperation in groups and organizations—work that naturally aligns with Buddhist teachings on compassion and interdependence.
He is lead author of the best-selling book "Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups" and represents a unique synthesis of contemplative practice, scientific rigor, and practical application in service of creating more compassionate communities.
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr Nawang Norbu
Dr.Nawang is an Ecologist. He currently works as the Director of the Bhutan Ecological Society and also as Center Director for the School for Field Studies in Bhutan. Nawang served as Director of the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment. He helped convene the Climate Summit for A Living Himalayas, a process that brought together civil society, academics and Government representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal culminating in the signing of agreement in November 2011 to adopt a framework action plan to adapt to climate change.
He also initiated the formation of the Bhutan Ecological Society and the conferment of Jigme Singye Wangchuck Outstanding Environmental Stewardship Award. Prior to working for the Institute, Nawang served as the Park Manager for the Phrumsengla National Park where he led the drafting of a 5-year management plan for the park and also the adjoining biological corridor.
Dr. Phil Dooley
Dr Phil is a science writer, presenter and videomaker. His background is in physics but he has also written about the genetics of alzheimers disease, made videos about bronze age horns from Ireland, and presented a sciencey fairytale about purple grass at science festivals. He's worked at the University of Sydney, ANU and JET, the world's largest fusion energy experiment. He is national co-vice-president of Australian Science Communicators.