H20 Government Track to Kickoff Inaugural World Happiness Summit in Miami

MIAMI, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) today announced that Miami will be the site of the first global gathering of governmental leaders, economists, academics, and researchers for the Happy 20 Government Track of the World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) on Thursday, March 16.

"The science, economics and practices of happiness have the potential to unite individuals and countries in the pursuit of well-being," said Manuel Pietra, Chairman of the WOHASU Advisory Board. WOHASU and the H20 provide a unique opportunity to anchor the practice of happiness with this first global gathering to improve our communities, our cities and our world. 

The Happy 20 or H20 Government Track is symbolic of the best practices and metrics as outlined in the World Happiness Report, (http://worldhappiness.report) and the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations (http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/). According to the World Happiness Report, "sustainable development is a normative concept calling for all societies to balance economic, social and environmental objectives in a holistic manner. When countries pursue GDP in a lopsided manner, forgetting about social and environmental objectives, the results can be adverse for human well-being."

The H20 will take place on Thursday, March 16, at Miami Dade College (MDC) and is being hosted by the City of Miami with opening remarks by Mayor Tomas Regalado and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, President of MDC and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award conferred by President Obama. The intimate roundtable event facilitates inclusivity and open commentary by all invited participants.

"The City of Miami is glad to host the first World Happiness Summit and we welcome experts and leaders from around the world to this timely conversation," said Mayor Regalado.

"It is an honor to partner with such a forward-thinking and compassionate organization that aims to improve the well-being of our community," added Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón. "This is very much in line with our mission."

The H20 is one of four tracks being organized by the inaugural World Happiness Summit. Confirmed participants for the governmental track include former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, spiritual leader and peace negotiator, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, World Happiness Report co-author, Sir Richard Layard, founder of the Wellbeing Center at the London School of Economics, Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Center Director Dr. Saamdu Chetri, Harvard happiness researcher and NY Times bestselling author Tal Ben-Shahar, Smart Dubai's Director General Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr and dignitaries from over 40 countries across the globe.

The organizing body, Miami-based start-up WOHASU, is committed to facilitating and promoting dialogue around happiness and civic wellbeing as a human right. The H20 kicks off five days of exploration around one of the least understood yet vital aspects of human nature – happiness. Following the H20 governmental track is an experiential track, which is open to the public, taking place from March 17 – 19, at Ice Palace Studios. The experiential forum will also include an academic and technology track, called The Future of Happiness.

The World Happiness Summit is recognized by the UN's International Day of Happiness (UNIDOH) and is a member of the organizing body that was officially sanctioned to celebrate happiness on Monday, March 20. The UNIDOH recognizes the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. As the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – these are identified as three key aspects that lead to wellbeing and happiness.

The free closing ceremony with guided meditation, yoga by Lululemon ambassadors and Zumba dancing will welcome the Miami community on Sunday, March 19, to celebrate the experiences shared in the Summit and welcome in the official UN International Day of Happiness.

WOHASU is a non-partisan, inclusive, global movement dedicated to increasing awareness around happiness as a life choice, as a human right and as an enabler of human development and social innovation at the individual, collective, governmental, and global levels. For more information on WOHASU and the H20 please visit www.happinesssummit.world.

Miami Dade College (MDC) is the higher education institution with the largest undergraduate enrollment in the America, with more than 165,000 students. It is also the nation's top producer of Associate in Arts and Science degrees and awards more degrees to minorities than any other college or university in the country. The college's eight campuses and outreach center offer more than 300 distinct degree pathways including several baccalaureate degrees in education, public safety, supervision and management, nursing, physician assistant studies, film, engineering, biological sciences, and others. In fact, its academic and workforce training programs are national models of excellence. MDC is also renowned for its rich cultural programming. It is home of the Miami Book Fair, Miami International Film Festival, the MDC Live Arts Performing Arts Series, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, a major sculpture park and large art gallery and theater systems. MDC has admitted more than 2,000,000 students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. For more information, please visit www.mdc.edu.

WOHASU Contact: Suzanne Jewell (305) 213-3510 or [email protected]

SOURCE World Happiness Summit