Brussels is a very busy place. Every week, hundreds of meetings and events take place across the city, hosted by officials, politicians and lobbyists from every part of Europe. Understandably, it’s all too easy to get “event fatigue” in this town.
Which is why - every once in a while - we like to take a break from talking about the policy issues of the day and organise a Google@Thought seminar. We invite speakers who delight in the exploration of ideas and concepts that reach far beyond the Brussels bubble, and enjoy a relaxed dinner with our guests.
Just before Christmas we hosted Professor Ruut Veenhoven , director of the World Database of Happiness , founding editor of the Journal of Happiness Studies and Emeritus Professor of 'social conditions for human happiness' at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Professor Veenhoven’s specialism, the measurement of happiness, is a discipline that is rapidly gaining interest amongst sociologists, psychologists, economists , and most recently, politicians in France and in the UK .
“Happy people live longer”, explains Professor Veenhoven, “and they really live longer. The effect of being happy or not on how you live is comparable to smoking or not. Basically, if you feel happy it is because your needs are gratified, as an organism you are thriving.” And happy people are good for society. They are likely to be more more healthy and active, and more likely to be politically engaged.
You can explore Professor Veenhoven’s research yourself at the World Database of Happiness - and enjoy the highlights of Professor Veenhoven’s Google@Thought seminar in the below YouTube video.
Posted by Angela Steen, Policy Analyst
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