happiness and well-being. do they make good policy

Happiness and well-being.Do they make good policy?

Jasper BerginkBlogger and happiness researcherDanish Embassy/YPFP event, Brussels, 4 June 2015jasper@forastateofhappiness.comwww.forastateofhappiness.com

About me

Well-being policies are the great promise of our times

• Data for well-being policies are availableLarge amounts of data on happiness exist

• Global and EU governments should play a role…Collecting data ‘beyond GDP’ is necessary

• …but the real difference is made at local levelAttention for well-being improves social, environmental and health policy

Happiness is all about statistics!

• Moment of happiness is personal, quality of life is measurable

• ‘Beyond GDP’ refers to efforts to go beyond economic data in analysis and policy formulation

• Widespread awareness of limitations of GDP

Well-being evaluation improves policy

• Symbolic: UN International Day of Happiness

• EU beyond GDP strategy

• Alternative indicators such as the OECD Better Life Index and the Social Progress Index

OECD: Brussels

OECD: Copenhagen

Indices don’t change lives – policies can!

• Regional and local governments can achieve most in developing policies or ‘interventions’

• Many local, regional and sectoral initiatives– ‘Happiness budget’ (Almelo, Netherlands)– Jacksonville Community Indicators (Florida, US)– ‘Five ways of well-being’

Fulfill the promise of well-being policies

• Reshape high-level policy objectivesInequality-adjusted growth as a goal?

• Monitor and benchmark performanceUse collected ‘beyond GDP’ is necessary

• Make the difference on the local levelSocial, environmental and health policies are in development

Thank you

www.forastateofhappiness.comjasper@forastateofhappiness.com

Twitter: @jbergink