The document outlines key events in the happiness and well-being movement timeline from 2008 to 2017 including: 1) A French commission called for governments to use wider measures of well-being beyond economic metrics in 2008. 2) Bhutan developed a Gross National Happiness Index and incorporated it into their constitution in 2008. 3) The UN held meetings on defining new economic paradigms focused on well-being and happiness and passed resolutions encouraging member states to measure well-being.

1. Happiness & Well-being movement timeline
French President Sarkozy Commission on the
Measurement of Economics Performance and
Social Progress (the Stieglitz report) calling
for governments to use wider measures of
well-being in lieu of merely monetary
measures.
2008
2009
2012
2013
2017
2011
2016
Bhutan develops its Gross National Happiness
Index and policy screening tool. Gross
National Happiness is written into the
constitution.
UN High Level Meeting Well-being and
Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm
is held, and Seattle’ Happiness Alliance is an
invited participant. UN Resolution 66/281
International Day of Happiness is passed.
UN Resolution 69/309 Happiness: towards a
holistic approach to development urging
member nations to develop wider measures of
well-being. United Kingdom begins to measure
happiness.
OECD publishes Guidelines for Measuring
Subjective Well-being.
Dialogue for Global Happiness is held in
UAE by Minister of the State of Happiness.
Seattle’s Happiness Alliance is an invited
participant.
5th World Happiness Report is issued.
At Origins of Happiness finding conference,
Richard Layard calls for 1000 examples of
policy based on happiness data.
Victoria, British Columbia is the first city
in North America to use a happiness
index based on Bhutan’s Gross
National Happiness Index. The Mayor’s
office, health authority and Victoria
Foundation and other organizations
undertake the effort.
Neighborhood projects to measure
happiness and implement projects are
underway in San Paulo, Brazil.
Seattle City Council signs the
Happiness Proclamation.
Seattle and Somerville are the first
cities in USA to measure happiness,
followed by many others using the
Happiness Alliance’s Happiness Index.
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
sponsors work with immigrant and
refugee communities using the
Happiness Alliance's Happiness Index.
Seattle’s Happiness Alliance invited to
exhibit at the 5th OECD World Forum on
Statistics, Knowledge, and Policy:
Transforming Policy, Changing Lives
2015
2014
Creston District, BC convenes the
Mayor's office and 4 regional
governments use the Happiness
Alliance’s Happiness Index.
Santa Monica Mayors office wins $1M
from Bloomberg Fund as the “first city”
to measure happiness.
National scale Local level