The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Happiness, annually observed across the globe on 20th March, is dedicated to the importance of happiness in people’s life.
The first International day of happiness was observed on 20th March 2013.
The theme of the International Day of Happiness 2021 is “Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind”.
The theme aims to unite humans to enhance and advance the happiness of individuals, organisations and communities and nations in harmony with nature.
The 2021 International Day of Happiness campaign theme is “Happiness For All Forever”.
Background:
i.The International Day of Happiness was founded by Jayme Illien, the CEO of Illien Global in 2006.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/66/281 on 28th June 2012 and proclaimed the 20th March of every year as the International Day of Happiness, starting from 2013.
World Happiness Week:
i.The world happiness fest annually organizes the 6-day Happiness Celebrations from 18th March to 23rd March as World Happiness Week.
ii.The celebration of the world happiness week unites leading happiness and well-being experts from the fields of education, business, science, art, technology, music, and policy and various virtual and in-person events are organised.
World Happiness Report 2021:
i.As a part of the celebration of International day of happiness, The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at Columbia University has launched the 2021 World Happiness Report.
ii.India ranks 139 out of the 149 counties and Finland topped the ranking followed by Denmark and Switzerland.
