Scaling Wellbeing as Welldoing: A Call to Action on the International Day of Happiness

By +SocialGood Connector Shariha Khalid and Impact Hub KL Global Goals Fellow Vanessa Stevens

For those of us working in international development, we are in the business of making people happy. Whether your sector is poverty eradication, health, education, democracy, or the environment, we ultimately aim to empower people to lead meaningful lives in which they are happy, healthy, and connected to their communities.

On 20 March the international community celebrates the International Day of Happiness. Recognized by the United Nations in 2012, the day champions happiness as a fundamental human goal and acknowledges that wellbeing must be at the center of government efforts for economic growth. The Sustainable Development Goals target the most critical quality of life factors to ensure wellbeing and prosperity for all.

While the International Day of Happiness calls upon us to think differently about economic and social progress, it also invites us to reflect upon our own happiness and how to spread it. Wellbeing starts with us as individuals. If we neglect our own wellbeing, be it physical, mental, social, or even creative, we risk our longevity and innovation in movements tackling the world’s toughest problems.

Our wellbeing further extends to how we lead within our organizations and out in our communities. Do we have the energy to inspire and be bold? Do we model a healthy work-life balance? Do we foster a safe, secure, and inclusive environment reflected in policies and practices? Do we intentionally create a culture ripe for innovation and for everyone to thrive?

The wellbeing of our organizations and their people determines their resilience in the face of internal challenges and external threats. It also is suggestive of our readiness and capacity for innovation, collaboration, and new opportunities. In the end, our responses shape our ability to impact social change and further the wellbeing of the people most in need.

So how do we scale wellbeing? It starts with you. This year’s theme is Share Happiness to focus on the importance of relationships, kindness, and helping each other. Here are simple meaningful actions for you to take today in the pursuit of happiness:

1. Tell a family member how much they mean to you.
2. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile.
3. Compliment a colleague’s work and their strengths.
4. Reach out with a supportive message to someone who’s going through a hard time.
5. Do a random act of kindness for a neighbor or stranger.

These actions are examples of the research-based Five Ways to Wellbeing from the New Economics Foundation, a great place to start understanding wellbeing for yourself, organization, and community.

Let this year’s International Day of Happiness be a fresh start for your wellbeing. It matters more than you realize for welldoing in the world.

+SocialGood Connector Shariha Khalid is a cofounder of Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur where Vanessa Stevens is a Global Goals Fellow. Impact Hub KL builds an inspired, connected, and well resourced ecosystem to solve social problems in Malaysia and beyond. Established in 2015 by a group of innovation and impact experts, Impact Hub KL has a proven track record with tangible impact on the ground and numerous cross-sector collaborations, with a particular focus on the Sustainable Development Goals and urban wellbeing. Learn more at Impact Hub KL’s website.