INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS
This campaign is a global celebration to mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness. It is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a non-profit movement of people from 160 countries, supported by a partnership of like-minded organisations.
Ban Ki-moon endorses UN International Day of Happiness
A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are now recognising that 'progress' should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.
March 20 has been established as the annual International Day of Happiness and all 193 United Nations member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority.
First ever UN conference on Happiness and wellbeing
In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which recognised happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples”.
In 2012 the first ever UN conference on Happiness took place and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which decreed that the International Day of Happiness would be observed every year on 20 March. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013.
YOUR HAPPINESS IS PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
The 2015 Day of Happiness campaign focused on relationships. We are a social species and we thrive when we’re closely connected to others. But modern society is leaving more and more people feeling disconnected, isolated or lonely. On the day, thousands of people all around the world reached out to make newpositive connections with others.
“This International Day of Happiness is more than just a fun celebration, it also remind us all that the world is a better place when we connect with and care about the people around us”
RECLAIM HAPPINESS
The 2014 Day of Happiness campaign asked people to share authentic images of what makes them happy to "Reclaim Happiness" back from the fake commercial images of happiness that we are so often bombarded with. Many tens of thousands of people shared images and the social reach was estimated to be over 13 million people globally.
“It’s really inspiring to see so many people sharing photos of what really makes them happy. In a world where we’re bombarded with fake images of happiness in the adverts and the media, these more authentic pictures remind us that the best things in life aren’t material things. ”
HAPPY HEROES
For the very first International Day of Happiness in 2013, events took place all over the world and we celebrated hundreds of "Happy Heroes" - those people in our communities who do so much to bring happiness to others.
“International Day of Happiness has struck a chord. There were celebrations all over the world: meditation in Bhutan, happy flash mobs in London, laughter yoga in Hong Kong and screenings of the film Happy in coffee shops all over the world. The day had a trending hashtag on twitter and its own website dayofhappiness.net”