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Ohood Al Roumi, UAE State Minister for Happiness, has launched the series of Happiness and Positivity educational seminars for government employees as part of the broader National Happiness and Positivity Programme.

The seminars aim to educate public sector employees about the National Happiness and Positivity Programme and its goal of establishing a happy society in the UAE. They are crucial to the success of the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, which revolves around three main pillars: Happiness and Positivity in Government Work, Happiness and Positivity as a Lifestyle, and, last but certainly not least, Measuring Happiness and Positivity, which will involve establishing mechanisms and indices to record the progress made in that area.

"Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stresses that it is the government’s job to instil positivity as a key trait in society," assures Al Roumi, insisting on the importance of attending these seminars, and adding that "the National Happiness and Positivity Programme adheres to His Highness’ directions in a bid to turn the UAE into a role model for the region and the world."

The inaugural event, titled "Happiness", took place recently at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, and was attended by 350 federal and local public sector employees. International Expert Mike Waking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Denmark – ranked as the happiest country in the world in 2016 – spoke at the event.

Waking, who is also a contributing researcher for the World Database of Happiness and a member of the Latin American Network for Luxury and Quality of Life, praised the UAE leadership its efforts and initiatives to raise the level of happiness and satisfaction for all residents in the Emirates. The initiatives, projects and creative programmes launched by the UAE government, he noted, serve to establish a positive social environment and spread happiness and satisfaction among all segments of society. Waking went on to examine the very concept of happiness and its importance on a global scale, as well as the challenges that stand in the way of achieving it.

To that end, Al Roumi signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr. Waking, which underlines the importance of collaboration between the two parties and the sharing of knowledge and expertise with regards to happiness, as well as the need to establish procedures to train and educate government personnel and make happiness a part of the government’s work culture.