20th March 2025
20th March 2025
International Day of Happiness 2025 – Love and Compassion: The Importance of Social Connections for Happiness and Wellbeing
Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, will receive the first deck of cards dedicated to „Riddarar Kærleikans“ (e. Knights of Love) and the Memorial Fund of Bryndís Klara at a symposium for the International Day of Happiness. The symposium, titled Love and Compassion: The Importance of Social Connections for Happiness and Wellbeing, will be held in the University of Iceland Hall at 1:00 PM today, Thursday, March 20.
-Automatic translation
The event will explore Iceland’s ranking among the happiest nations in the world. President Halla Tómasdóttir and Dr. Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir, Director of Public Health at the Directorate of Health, will discuss happiness, compassion, and „Riddarar kærleikans“ (e. Knights of Charity). In addition, new findings will be presented on the wellbeing, social connections, and safety of children, categorizsd by financial status. Attendees will also hear from youth representatives and learn about “social magic.”
Edda Björgvinsdóttir will lead a happy dance, and Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson, leader of Sustainable Iceland, will bring a guitar to accompany the crowd in singing. Following this, there will be a panel discussion on masculinity and love, led by Dr. Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir. The moderator of the symposium is Elín Hirst.
The Directorate of Health in Iceland organises the symposium in collaboration with Endurmenntun of the University of Iceland and all are welcome as long as space permits. veryone is welcome, space permitting. The event will also be live-streamed.
Program:
13:00 Opening address – María Heimisdóttir, Medical Director of Health
13:10 Heart-to-Heart between the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir and Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir about happiness, empathy and „Riddarar kærleikans“.
13:40 „Equality for prosperity: Children's wellbeing, relationships and safety by financial status“, Sigrún Daníelsdóttir, project manager for mental health at the Directorate of Health
13:55 „Humbler, more open and gentler“, Hera Fönn Lárusdóttir, student at Hveragerði Primary School
14:10 Happiness Dance, led by Edda Björgvinsdóttir
14:30 Wellbeing Break
15:00 „Social Charms“, Viðar Halldórsson, professor of sociology at the University of Iceland
15:20 Panel discussion: „Masculinity and Love“ with Ásmundur Einar Daðason, former Minister of Education and Children's Affairs, Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson, leader of a Sustainable Iceland at the Prime Minister's Office, Viðar Halldórsson, professor of sociology at the University of Iceland and Kári Einarsson, president of NFVÍ.
15:50 Singing and Guitar Accompaniment, led Eggert Benedikt Guðmundsson.
More information
Elín Hirst, 899-9350
Margrét Jóhannsdóttir, 696-1330