Welcome to The World Happiness Foundation’s Public Policy Forum

"We need to work together at a systemic level to create the necessary change"

Growing inequalities, lost diversity, pandemics, and climate change are only some of the serious challenges facing humanity in the coming decades. All of these crises are interconnected and we cannot confront them in isolation. Our current economic systems are failing to foster a productive and healthy balance between societal, individual, and environmental needs and goals.

That is why we support the leaders from governments and organizations that are disrupting current systems by implementing new policies and initiatives that are advancing the dialogue on creating economies of happiness and well-being for all.

In Partnership with the United Nations University for Peace

The Foundation stewards two UN resolutions:

The Foundation specifically stewards two UN resolutions:

UN RESOLUTION 65/309

Happiness: Towards a Holistic Approach to Development

UN RESOLUTION 66/281

International Day
of Happiness

We Support Global Political Initiatives

All of our work supports the UN Global Compact and many of the Sustainable Development Goals

We bring together the world leaders and experts on Public Policy across multiple disciplines such as Health Care, Education, Environment, Economy, Psychology, Business, Research, Statistics, and the United Nations 2030 agenda to breakdown silos and to improve the overall happiness and well-being of all beings.

We bring a holistic approach incorporating view from the leading institutions and the professionals behind the latest research and policies around the world.

We help advance the dialogue on Public Policy towards an Economy of Happiness and Well-Being.

GLOBAL HAPPINESS AND WELL-BEING POLICY REPORT

The 2019 Global Happiness and Well-Being Policy Report is produced by the Global Happiness Council (GHC) and contains papers by expert working groups on happiness for good governance. This report provides evidence and policy recommendations on best practices to promote happiness and well-being. The 2019 Global Happiness and Well-Being Policy Report was presented at World Government Summit held in Dubai on February 10, 2019.

WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT

The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness that ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. The report is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with the Ernesto Illy Foundation. The World Happiness Report was written by a group of independent experts acting in their personal capacities. Any views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization, agency or program of the United Nations.
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OECD BETTER LIFE INDEX

How is LIFE? There is more to life than the cold numbers of GDP and economic statistics – This Index allows you to compare well-being across countries, based on 11 topics the OECD has identified as essential, in the areas of material living conditions and quality of life.

HAPPY PLANET INDEX

The Happy Planet Index measures what matters: sustainable wellbeing for all. It tells us how well nations are doing at achieving long, happy, sustainable lives. Wealthy Western countries, often seen as the standard of success, do not rank highly on the Happy Planet Index. Instead, several countries in Latin America and the Asia Pacific region lead the way by achieving high life expectancy and wellbeing with much smaller Ecological Footprints. The Happy Planet Index provides a compass to guide nations, and shows that it is possible to live good lives without costing the Earth.

Join our World Happiness & Well-Being Public Policy Forum at the World Happiness Fest.

Gross National Happiness, or GNH, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all facets of life that are essential; for our happiness.

We are in the age of the Anthropocene when the fate of the planet and all life is within the power of mankind. Boundless consumerism, widening socio-economic inequality and instability is causing rapid natura resource depletion and degradation. Climate change, species extinction, multiple crises, growing insecurity, instability and conflicts are not only diminishing our well-being but are also threatening our very survival.

Today, it is inconceivable for modern society to function without the business of commerce, finance, industry or trade. These very factors are altering human destiny by the day in extraordinary ways, both positive and negative. GNH directly addresses such global, national and individual challenges by pointing to the non-material roots of well-being and offering ways to balance and satisfy the dual needs of the human being within the limits of what nature can provide on a sustainable basis.

The Economy of Happiness and Well-Being

We support the emergence of new economic paradigms

Growing inequalities, lost diversity, pandemics, and climate change are only some of the serious challenges that humanity faces in the coming decades. All of these crises are interconnected, and we cannot confront them in isolation. Our current economic systems are not designed to deliver a balanced approach to social and environmental initiatives. World Happiness Foundation Founder, Luis Gallardo addresses these issues in his report on The Economy of Happiness and Well-Being.

An economy is a collection of norms and rules that reward certain behaviors and punish others. The economies of the 21st century destroy natural wealth, degrade communal bonds, and incentivize overconsumption. This is how our economies have evolved to function, which also means that we can change them and evolve in new directions. It is time we think about how.

Happytalism, Key to (Re)connection

Felicia and Luis Miguel Gallardo

Happy Birthday to You: A Reflection on Happiness and World Peace

Birthdays are often viewed as a personal celebration—a day filled with joy, love, and the cherished company of family and friends. However, as I reflect on the significance of a “Happy Birthday” today, I find myself contemplating a broader, more profound meaning. For me, happiness is not just a fleeting feeling but a powerful force with the potential to transform our world. Moving from the simple joy of being “happy” to the enduring state of “happiness” changes the narrative and amplifies the energy we contribute to our social system. On this special day, I am filled with immense pride and motivation as I think about the ecosystem of happiness and well-being we have co-created globally. It’s more than a personal milestone; it’s a celebration of the collective efforts towards nurturing a culture of happiness and peace. We are not merely individuals seeking joy; we are part of a dynamic, interconnected community striving for a greater good. The new diplomacy we are championing is one that prioritizes global peace and happiness. This noble endeavor is driven by people committed

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Catalyst of Happiness Banner

Become a Catalyst of Happiness in Education

Get certified as a Catalyst of Happiness in Education by the World Happiness Foundation Would you like to become a catalyst of happiness within the educational environments of the World Happiness Foundation and Fundación Mundial de la Felicidad (España)? This is your opportunity to be part of a transformative movement that integrates well-being and personal development into the very fabric of academic institutions. The catalysts are dedicated individuals committed to the #EscuelasdeFelicidad #SchoolsofHappiness project of the World Happiness Foundation. Our mission is to pioneer a new educational paradigm that not only achieves academic excellence but also fosters values of well-being and personal growth within the classroom. This holistic approach to education aims to create an environment where students can thrive both intellectually and emotionally. What Makes an Educator a Catalyst of Happiness? An educator who is a catalyst of happiness embodies a unique blend of qualities and approaches that set them apart as transformative leaders in education. These educators are not just teachers; they are mentors, guides, and champions of student well-being. Here are key elements that define a Catalyst of

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Everest Luis Gallardo

Embracing Personal Healing for Global Happiness: My Journey with the World Happiness Foundation

Achieving the vision of the World Happiness Foundation—to realize a world of freedom, consciousness, and happiness for all—requires a profound personal commitment to healing and growth. I’ve embarked on a journey to clear my own wounds and, in doing so, help others mitigate their suffering and thrive in life. This personal quest for self-realization fills me with excitement and purpose. Personal Journey to Self-Realization Understanding that true global happiness begins with individual well-being, I am dedicated to addressing my personal challenges. By healing myself, I aim to set a foundation for assisting others in their journey toward happiness and fulfillment. This involves deep self-reflection, seeking support, and adopting positive habits that promote mental and emotional health. I believe that it’s okay to be vulnerable, as vulnerability is a powerful step towards true healing and connection. Happytalism: A New Paradigm To support this mission, I’ve created “Happytalism,” a revolutionary paradigm that redefines success and progress by prioritizing well-being, sustainability, and happiness over mere economic gains. Happytalism encourages individuals and societies to focus on holistic growth, fostering environments where everyone

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Happytalism
Happytalism

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