What is happiness and how can that be measured in a society? How happy are we and how happy were we before? Is happiness only possible in heaven?

What makes people happy in a society? Statistically, it seems that you will be happier if: (1) you are in a long term relationship, (2) are actively engaged in politics, (3) are active in your work and free time, (4) go out for dinner and (5) have close friendships. And it also seems that people who drink in moderation are happier than people who don’t drink at all, that men tend to be happier in a society where women enjoy greater equality and that being good looking increases men’s happiness more than it does women’s. Now, how does this all come about? Can this be trusted?

In the 18th century, Enlightened thinkers challenged the belief that happiness exists only in Heaven. They claimed that happiness is possible in earthly life and foresaw that greater happiness would be achieved using reason. Did this promise of greater happiness come true? Several scholars doubt that we got any happier, some claim that happiness has declined and some argue that happiness cannot change lastingly. These critical claims are tested using data of empirical happiness research that has developed over the last 40 years, the results of which are gathered in the World Database of Happiness.

Well...it seems that the Happiness man himself, Ruut Veenhoven - director of the World Database of Happiness and founding editor of the Journal of Happiness Studies - is going to be in town to explain all that one should know about happiness. Some people even say that he is the walking definition of happiness and that happiness as a concept has derived from him.

Afterwards, chilled cocktails and the amazing Magnetic Eagle playing upbeat, danceable songs and starting off the party.