Lugano Happiness Forum: Speech by Director Viswanath

In this speech, presented at the Lugano Happiness Forum on June 17th, 2024, Center Director Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath emphasized the importance of understanding happiness beyond individual well-being, and highlighted the need to incorporate social and collective well-being into our definitions of happiness, as personal well-being is deeply interconnected with societal health and integration. He called attention to the challenges posed by the digital revolution, aging populations, loneliness, and persistent inequalities, stressing that these issues need to be addressed through inclusive and participatory approaches. By shifting the focus from individualistic to collective well-being, Dr. Viswanath advocated for a more holistic and equitable perspective on happiness, urging the consideration of cultural dimensions and societal inclusiveness.
The Lugano Happiness Forum took place from June 17-18, 2024 in Lugano, Switzerland and was co-organized by the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, the IBSA Foundation for scientific research, and the city of Lugano.
Video created by the IBSA Foundation for scientific research.
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