WGS 2017: Happiness is True Measure of National Well-being

Editors of 'The World Happiness Report' urge global policy makers to focus on the science of well-being to ensure informed governance

Dubai-UAE: 13 February, 2017:  A panel of experts speaking on the opening day of the World Government Summit 2017 concurred that the success of a government must be defined by its ability to facilitate the happiness and well-being of its citizens, and should replace old paradigms that focus overwhelmingly on economic performance. 

The three eminent panelists who participated in a session titled 'The Future of Happiness: A Mission for Government' were also editors of the World Happiness Report (a landmark survey of the state of global happiness). They included Professor Jeffrey Sachs, American economist and Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Professor John Helliwell, Senior Fellow Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and Emeritus Professor of Economics at Columbia University, and Lord Richard Layard, Emeritus Professor of Economics London School of Economics.

The three experts presented impactful case studies that highlight the need for governments to be proactive in facilitating the future of happiness and the challenges in achieving public happiness from a research and policy perspective. 

Drawing on the significance of recent game-changing events, the experts drove home the message that measuring the efficacy of governance in terms of economic parameters such as gross domestic product (GDP) alone are no longer relevant, and in fact, may be dangerously misleading. The Arab Spring and its ongoing fallout is one such tragic development that serves as a stark reminder to governments to make citizen happiness their top priority rather than remain solely concerned with the economy. 

Prof Jeffrey Sachs said: 'Happiness should be a key objective of government. To ensure happiness, government must first ensure that other values are upheld such as fairness and safety in society. Governments need to understand what is important for people within their borders.” 

Prof John Helliwell pointed out that: “Our study looked at 6 factors: income, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make key life decisions, trust in government, generosity, having someone to count on in times of trouble. We found that none of these factors was more important than the others.” 

He added: “As important as it is for governments to contribute to people’s happiness, people must also make a change in the way they live their lives. They must live in a way that generates happiness for themselves and others. The key is that by genuinely trying to make others happy, we bring more happiness into our own lives.” 

Lord Richard Layard said: “The 18th century helped us rise above superstition. At this time, progress came to be defined by whether or not people were happy and enjoying their lives. This definition should serve as a guide for governments and for people in their day-to-day lives.”

Highlighting the most important lesson of this research Lord Layard said: “The findings have revealed that the priority governments and society give to mental health is far too low. One in six adults suffers from depression and anxiety and this is the biggest form of misery in most countries.” 

The World Government Summit (WGS) 2017 has drawn the participation of more than 4,000 personalities from 139 countries around the world, reflecting the leading stature of the summit on regional and international levels and the high interest from governments, global organizations, private and public sector entities, decision makers, entrepreneurs, academics and university students as well as scientists and innovators. WGS 2017 features 150 speakers across 114 sessions that highlight the world’s most pressing challenges and showcase best practices and cutting-edge solutions to deal with them.