The symposium will focus on the key challenges of today’s digital world and on how technology can be used in a positive way to support happiness and wellbeing. The International Day of Happiness originated with the United Nations, which proclaimed 20 March as the Day in 2012 to highlight the importance of happiness and wellbeing in the lives of individuals and societies.

The symposium will be moderated by Embla Bachmann from Knights of Love (Riddarar kærleikans).

Speakers include Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavík, Sigrún Þóra Sveinsdóttir, Project Manager for Mental Health Promotion at the Directorate of Health, Haukur Brynjarsson from the Media Commission, and Vala Karen Viðarsdóttir, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of Iceland. The programme will also include a panel discussion moderated by Embla Bachmann, followed by a lively closing contribution from Edda Björgvinsdóttir.

In her presentation, Sigrún Þóra will discuss findings from monitoring the happiness of the Icelandic population, as well as the World Happiness Report, which will be released the day before.

• Further information about the event

• The event will also be live-streamed

On the same day, “Joy in the Trees - a Happiness Walk” will also take place, organised by the City of Reykjavík and the Reykjavík Botanical Garden. The walk begins in Fógetagarðurinn and ends at the University of Iceland, where the symposium will be held. Participants will walk together through downtown Reykjavík, stopping at historic and notable trees, with an emphasis on enjoying togetherness, breathing, listening, and capturing happiness in the urban environment.

The walk will be led by Edda Björgvinsdóttir, with assistance from Björk Þorleifsdóttir from the Reykjavík Botanical Garden.

Programme

• 13:00 Opening address - Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavík

• 13:15 Data from monitoring the happiness of the Icelandic population and a discussion of the

  World Happiness Report - Sigrún Þóra Sveinsdóttir

• 13:30 Presentation - Haukur Brynjarsson, Media Commission

• 13:55 Presentation - Vala Karen Viðarsdóttir, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of Iceland

• 14:10 Panel discussion – moderated by Embla Bachmann

• 14:30 Closing performance with Edda Björgvinsdóttir

Everyone is warmly welcome.

Department of Public Health