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Happiness and well-being.Do they make good policy?
Jasper BerginkBlogger and happiness researcherDanish Embassy/YPFP event, Brussels, 4 June [email protected]
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
