“Happiness, wellbeing and welfare are what both economics and business are fundamentally about. How can we make life better for everyone?”

-Micael Dahlen, Professor in Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics

OUR MISSION

The goal is to establish a framework in the team to engage in joint research, teaching, and outreach activities. The Happy Progress Forum is the first event honoring that agreement. 

Meet the Team

FIRST SUCCESS

HPF FIRST EVENT IN LONG TERM COLLABORATION

The first edition of the Happy Progress Forum (HPF) was arranged in Bhutan September 25-26 in 2025. The two Forum days focused on how to jointly promote and progress happiness and economic growth and was also a manifestation of the long-term collaboration between RIGSS, Center for Bhutan Studies (CBS) and CWWH. Some of the most esteemed researchers in the world in various fields came together and the purpose was to test the format, network, make content and ambassadors, and initiate joint projects. The goal was to make the event an annual, growing session with activities and discussions that go well outside of the participating researchers and organizations. 


BACKGROUND

Bhutan introduced Gross National Happiness (GNH) in the 1970s as an alternative to GDP, grounded in the belief that true development must balance economic growth with cultural, spiritual, social, and environmental wellbeing. 

Based on the shared commitment to the belief that holistic wellbeing and development enhance economic productivity and commercial profitability, promoting prosperity with purpose, the Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness (CWWH) at the Stockholm School of Economics and the Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies in Bhutan (RIGSS) in 2024 signed an agreement to collaborate. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

The next gathering is taking place in Stockholm, Sweden on May 7, 2026.

The group will then discuss the ongoing projects and plan future steps in the collaboration.