The Development of Well-being Policy Initiatives

Authors

Kathleen Rowan, WellBeing InterntionalFollow

Abstract

Over the last twenty years (that is, this century), there has been an explosion of interest in measuring “happiness” and “subjective well-being.” These measurements are beginning to be used in the development of public policy. Bhutan is commonly regarded as a leader in the field, but the phrase “Gross National Happiness” was first used by Sicco Mansholt, one of the founders of the European Union, in 1972. Bhutan only formally established a Gross National Happiness index as national policy in 2008. But Bhutan has since become an important rallying center for reports and studies of happiness and subjective well-being. For example, the World Happiness Report, first produced in 2012 and published by the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Solutions Network, had its origins in a planning meeting in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, in the summer of 2011. This meeting was held to prepare for a session on “Well-being and Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” to be held at the UN in April 2012.

Recommended Citation

Rowan, Kathleen (2020) "The Development of Well-being Policy Initiatives," WellBeing News: Vol. 2: Iss. 11, Article 3.
Available at: https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/wbn/vol2/iss11/3