Well-being policies. An unfulfilled promise? by Jasper Bergink, Foro Bienestar, Guadalajara, Nov 2014
The presentation aims to provide policymakers with keys to integrate well-being and happiness in public policy. I make three suggestions to policymakers: i) to measure well-being to inform public policy; ii) to actively advance well-being (as a challenge to GDP) as a political agenda; and iii) to pay attention to the happiness at work of government staff. I presented these slides under the title "Well-being policies. An unfulfilled promise" at the Foro Bienestar y Desarrollo (Well-being and Development Forum). The Foro was organised by the government of the region of Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 24-26 November 2014. I am an independent researcher and blogger specialising in happiness and well-being. Previously, I delivered a TEDx talk with the title For A State of Happiness at TEDxLuxembourgCity. I edit a blog with the same name (www.forastateofhappiness.com). The blog is dedicated to the discovery of intuitive and scientific knowledge about happiness and well-being. Through my explorations, I want to help people, societies and states achieve their own State of Happiness. For more information, see www.forastateofhappiness.com, or contact me via jasper [at] forastateofhappiness.com, or on Twitter: @jbergink.
Well-being policies. An unfulfilled promise? by Jasper Bergink, Foro Bienestar, Guadalajara, Nov 2014
- 1. Well-being policies. An unfulfilled promise? Jasper Bergink Blogger and happiness researcher Foro Bienestar, Guadalajara, 25 November 2014 jasper@forastateofhappiness.com www.forastateofhappiness.com
- 2. About me
- 3. Your keys to fulfill the promise Well-being policy cant be a silo Integrate measurements across policy areas Well-being is a political issue Policy must be communicated to citizens It starts with happiness at work Only happy staff can make citizens happy
- 4. Well-being indicators support policy Term Beyond GDP refers to efforts to go beyond economic data in analysis and policy formulation Widespread awareness of limitations of GDP
- 5. We are winning the battle of measurement Alternative indexes challenge GDP Dashboards have benchmarking function Example: OECD Better Life Index
- 9. An integrated dashboard adds valuable information Listen to RFK: measure what is worthwhile Bring all policy areas together Include economic perspectives
- 10. Indices dont change lives policies can! Battle of policy is still ongoing Many local, regional and sectoral initiatives Happiness budget (Almelo, Netherlands) Jacksonville Community Indicators (Florida, US) Five ways of well-being
- 11. Well-being evaluation improves policy National-level implementation is advancing Bhutan, UK, Italy, New Zealand Beyond GDP and well-being policies help to evaluate various policy options Well-being return on investment
- 12. Fulfill the promise of well-being policy Inequality-adjusted growth as policy target Growth vs resource efficiency (Mental) health and happiness education Monitor and benchmark OECD performance
- 13. Persuade in the political debate Need for a mainstream political debate Communication challenge Run on happiness
- 15. My happiness at work matters to me Personal level More motivated and productive Happier at home Better equipped to deal with stress Autonomy, mastery, purpose
- 16. My happiness at work matters to you! Organisation/administration level Higher productivity in happier teams Less sick leave and accidents at work Higher staff retention
- 17. Steering for happiness is possible Happiness at work surveys Measure and improve working conditions Only happy staff can make happy citizens
- 18. Your keys to fulfill the promise Well-being policy cant be a silo Integrate measurements across policy areas Well-being is a political issue Policy must be communicated to citizens It starts with happiness at work Only happy staff can make citizens happy
- 19. Thank you www.forastateofhappiness.com jasper@forastateofhappiness.com Twitter: @jbergink