Davines Group has long been participating in the global conversation on individual and collective wellbeing and happiness.

The company not only focuses on its stakeholders’ happiness and wellbeing but engages in a constant dialogue on the value and sense of happiness at the individual and collective level, as an indicator of socio-economic development.

Davide Bollati, Davines Group chair, explained: “At Davines we perceive happiness as eudaimonia – the ancient Greek word that refers to human flourishing and prosperity.

“In Aristotle’s work, eudaimonia was used as the term for the highest human good, and so it is the aim of practical philosophy, including ethics and virtue.

“The pursuit of this kind of happiness is what inspires us every day in what we are and what we do to be the best for the world.”

With this in mind, Davines Group was motivated to partner with the World Happiness Report in 2020.

The first report was released in April 2012 as a foundational text for the United Nations (UN)N High Level Meeting: Wellbeing and Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm, drawing international attention.

The first version outlined the state of world happiness, causes of happiness and misery, and policy implications highlighted by case studies.

In 2013, the second report was issued, and in 2015 the third.

Since 2016, it has been issued annually on the 20 March, to coincide with the UN's International Day of Happiness.

Over the years, the report has proved a valuable tool for governments, institutions and businesses to draw from to reflect on aspects determining the happiness of populations and, consequently, to implement strategies to promote the wellbeing of communities.

2020 has been a year like no other, and the 2021 report focuses on the effects of COVID-19 and how different countries responded, with a particular focus on happiness and wellbeing.

In the 2021 Report, authors address:

How COVID-19 affected life expectancy and wellbeing

The impact on mental healthSocial connections

Work and worklessnessLiving well and living long: the WELLBY approach (Wellbeing-Adjusted Life-Years)

"It’s increasingly evident the issue of world happiness must be addressed today, in order to prevent and slow down the environmental, social, economic and health crises that seem to overlap with increasing frequency,” said Bollati.

“The strong interdependence between the world’s various crises is becoming very clear. Now, a new model of sustainable development, which redefines the way human species inhabit the planet, is in more need than ever.

“Whether it’s in how the insights on the theme of happiness are applied to individuals, cities, nations, the economy and the planet, or if happiness is studied as an objective or subjective value, this theme of how man inhabits the Earth remains at the centre of the main reflection.

“My hope is that this report will help us increase global happiness, thanks to the virtuous and joint work of the public and private sectors, of academics and spiritual leaders.”

Davines Group is inviting everyone around the world to observe International Day of Happiness on 20 March and register for the 2021 report’s virtual launch event at 11 AM EST.

Registration for the digital event webinar is now open via this link.