'Happiness and Well-being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm' UN Conference, New York, April 2012

The conference was convened by Bhutan, which tops Asia in the first World Happiness Report. The tiny Himalayan nation convened the meeting seeking to develop a new economic model based on principles of happiness and well-being. The report also listed a number of practical suggestions for governments to promote happiness among their citizens, including helping people meet their basic needs, reinforcing social systems, implementing active labour policies, improving mental health services, promoting compassion, altruism and honesty, and helping the public resist hyper-commercialism.

'finding my religion'

how to take a strand
called happiness
and weave it through the social fabric
so that people smile at one another
walk about in the air together
speak beautiful kindnesses
not lessen the light
nor cast shadows on others
but burning bright
the world feels loved
cherished
and hearts are beating to the rhythm of joy   

Cheryl Howard

 

This poem was inspired through hearing about a man in Glebe (Sydney) who walks dogs and tells strangers they are beautiful. He teaches the dogs that when they bite and chase cats they lessen their light and they should practise being christian buddhists.