Promoting Happiness to Build the Future We Want

By an IPS Correspondent Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 20 2013 (IPS) - The importance of emotional well-being has gained attention on the international stage marking the first ever International Day of Happiness (IDH). U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday called on the international community to commit to an inclusive and sustainable human development that will improve the well-being of those who lack basic services needed to pursue happiness.

“The pursuit of happiness lies at the core of human endeavours. People around the world aspire to lead happy and fulfilling lives free from fear and war and in harmony with nature”, said Ban, in his message to mark the occasion,.

In April 2012, the U.N. held a High-level Meeting on the topic of “Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm”, at the initiative of Bhutan, a country which recognized the supremacy of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s.

And it famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product (GDP), which rejects the sole use of economic and material wealth as an indicator of development.

The General Assembly in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March IDH recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.

The Day chosen is no coincidence: 20 March is an equinox, when day and night are of equal length, giving extra weight to the day’s message of stability and peace. A raft of events and activities all around the world take place to commemorate the event.

The #HappyDay initiative, a campaign to promote IDH  has already reached more than 500,000 people from over 130 countries. One of the organizers, Mark Williamson, director of Action for Happiness – the mass movement to promote happiness — believes that a profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world.

“People are now recognising that ‘progress’ should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy at all costs,” he said.

He added: “Creating a happier society requires action at all levels, from political leaders and institutions, but also from us as individual citizens too. When we do things to bring happiness to others, everyone benefits.”

For instance, those involved in the initiative are being encouraged to tell the world about their Happy Heroes on the go, through a free iPhone application that will spread the cheer across social networks.

“We hope to reach 100 million people with this message, and respond to Ban Ki-moon’s inspiring call for gross global happiness,” said Williamson.