International Day of Happiness, 20 March 2013

UNITED NATIONS, 18 Mar 2013

United Nations Academic Impact – TRANSCEND Media Service

The General Assembly, by its resolution A/RES/66/281, has proclaimed 20 March as the International Day of Happiness.  The resolution recognizes the “relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals … and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives; and the need for ”a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.”

The adoption of the resolution followed a high-level meeting on “Well-being and happiness”, held at UN Headquarters on 2 April 2012.  The main sponsor of the high-level meeting was the Kingdom of Bhutan.   The meeting concluded that, while material prosperity is important, it is far from being the only determinant of well-being.

On the occasion of the first International Day of Happiness, the United Nations Academic Impact, in association with the Permanent Mission of Bhutan, will host a conversation on ““Happiness and well-being: Essential for a sustainable future” on 20 March 2013, from 1:15 – 2:30 at UN Headquarters.  Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Under-Secretary- General for Communications and Public Information, will introduce the theme of the day’s conversation.  He will be joined by the following special guests:

  1. Ambassador Lhatu Wangchuk, Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations
  2. Ambassador Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, Permanent Representative ofIraq to the United Nations
  3. Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations
  4. Dr. Judy Kuriansky, Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology,Columbia University Teachers College
  5. Dr. Jo Anne Murphy, Office of Global Learning,Fairleigh Dickinson University
  6. Latoya Ferns, Student, Durham University,UK,/Producer, ”Broken Happy Record”

 Members of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council Jazz Society will provide musical prelude.

 The event is open to all. However, to attend, one needs to register by sending an email to academicimpact@un.org (subject: IDH). The event will also be available live on the web at webtiv.un.org

 Happiness Day flyer 23 Feb

Go to Original – outreach.un.org

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