Writing.- The
International Day of Happiness is commemorated annually every
March 20; this date was symbolically proclaimed by the United Nations Organization (
UN) in order to give value and importance to
happiness as integral development and
well-being.
Why is March 20th commemorated?
The UN decreed resolution 66/281 in 2012, where it states that every March 20th the International Day of Happiness would be celebrated, with the aim of
“recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal aspirations of human beings and the importance of their inclusion in government policies.”
The resolution also recognizes the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth, which promotes sustainable development, the eradication of poverty, the happiness and well-being of all peoples.
The resolution was initiated by Bhutan, a country that since the early 1970s has recognized the value of national happiness over national income and prioritizes Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It was also the host country of a High-Level Meeting on “Happiness and well-being: defining a new economic paradigm” during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly.
