International Day of Happiness
Acts of Conscience Ignite Collective Hope of Happiness
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
March 20, 2025
Distinguished Guests, Dear friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2012, designating March 20th as the "International Day of Happiness," recognizing that happiness and well-being are universal goals and aspirations. This day aims to raise awareness of the importance of quality of life, mental health, and personal happiness. Happiness is also an important indicator of the level of development in society and states. As an ancient saying goes, “Prosperity fosters civility, and sufficiency nurtures morality." Governments around the world are encouraged to integrate well-being into policymaking to create a better and more inclusive society.
Personal happiness is deeply connected to collective prosperity and development. In response to the 2025 theme of International Day of Happiness, “Caring and Sharing", benevolence, empathy, and trust are emphasized as vital drivers of individual and national happiness. This theme encourages the society that lasting happiness stems from genuine care and mutual support. True care comes from understanding the realities of life across different communities and cultures. By sharing resources for mutual benefit and spreading positive energy, we can foster a stable and harmonious society. The annual World Happiness Report not only ranks countries based on average life satisfaction levels but also considers a broad range of happiness indicators, including economic pressures, social issues, and the psychological impacts of the post-pandemic era. By evaluating happiness, quality of life, and social welfare across multiple criteria, the report serves as a valuable reference for understanding global happiness trends.
Happiness is a goal that everyone aspires to. It encompasses positivity, joy, and life satisfaction, as well as building meaningful connections and making positive impact on society. At this moment of uncertainty and conflict, let us face challenges and crises together. From the perspectives of love, conscience, human rights, and humanitarian values, we should prioritize happiness and fundamental rights of all humanity.
Conscience is the cornerstone of human morality and the foundation for happiness and peace. The awakening of conscience reflects an individual’s responsibility for their actions and serves as a key to happiness and self-fulfilment. Everyone should deploy conscience as a compass to discern right from wrong, guiding us toward the right path in life. Everyone can influence society through acts of conscience, settling conflicts and differences through communication and dialogue. This leads to mutual understanding, which in turn fosters cooperation and shared joy. A culture of conscience values public interest and social responsibility. True and lasting happiness comes from spiritual abundance, which is derived from every action guided by conscience. "Helping others is the foundation of happiness." Acts of kindness towards others not only benefit others but also nourish and elevate our own spirit and make our lives more fulfilling with deeper joy and happiness.
We hope that the 2025 International Day of Happiness, driven by acts of conscience, will spark a global movement for a happier, more inclusive, and resilient world. Ensuring peace and harmony in the world is not just the duty of leaders but a shared responsibility of all global citizens. Let us act with conscience and spread true love, dissolving chaos and bringing comfort to all beings with the energy of peace. Let us promote a culture of peace with love and conscience, helping the world move towards lasting happiness and stability.
Thank you all!