Happiness and the UN
24 October marks 79 years since the UN was established in a world rebuilding itself after the horrors of the Second World War.
There can be no doubt that, partly through the diplomatic structures enabled by bodies such as the United Nations, certain regions of the world are in much better shape than they were eight short decades ago.
And yet, humanity continues to face profound and fundamental challenges.
Much has been written on the consequential nature of climate change; eyes are also being (belatedly) opened to the dangers of the weaponisation of cutting-edge technologies; all against a backdrop of democratic backsliding.
Secretary-General António Guterres’ Summit of the Future, held in recent weeks at the UN’s New York headquarters, can – and must – serve as a line in the sand for a new form of global governance.
Happiness may well be the best place to start.
At its core, the UN was formed as a force for common good. As we have reported over the 12 years since the first World Happiness Report, the power of happiness is far-reaching in its impact on human health, economic development, and societal progress at large.
The topic of happiness can often become easily sidelined in a world ravaged by war, poverty, and inequality. But, is there a common good more important than the wellbeing of all people?
A new Expert Group on Wellbeing Measurement – of which I am privileged to have been invited to join – shows that the UN is taking this topic very seriously indeed. A diverse group of experts will combine to create a robust global framework on the assessment of how people feel about their lives.
Perhaps only by acknowledging the value of life on Earth (and the lives of future generations) in this way may we hope to prevail over the unprecedented challenges of our time.
Prof Jan-Emmanuel De Neve
Editor, World Happiness Report
Recommended reading
The best analysis, hand-picked by our editors
Origins, impact, and future of the World Happiness Report
Read more about the UN’s role in the origins of the World Happiness Report in this open-access chapter published in the new Encyclopedia of Happiness, Quality of Life and Subjective Wellbeing.
New UN group to examine wellbeing themes
The Expert Group on Wellbeing Measurement aims to make recommendations for a new global framework for inclusive and sustainable wellbeing. Add this page to your bookmarks to keep track of their work.
Beyond hegemony: A new international order under the UN Charter
World Happiness Report founding editor, Prof Jeff Sachs, argues that the Summit of the Future should be “a watershed in global governance”.
Watch and listen
Some of our editors’ favourite video, podcasts and more
“Good intentions are not enough”
Prof Lord Richard Layard made a passionate case for policymakers to better implement the economics of happiness on The Rest Is Money podcast.
The evolution of the World Happiness Report
Much has changed since the first World Happiness Report was published, more than a decade ago. Founding editor, Prof John Helliwell, featured on the UN Library’s The Next Page podcast to trace our journey so far and look ahead to the future.
Summit of the Future: António Guterres’ opening remarks
Watch the full opening statement from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, delivered at September’s Summit of the Future.