When UAE embarked on its happiness journey

On March 20, 2017 — exactly a year after the National Happiness and Positivity Charter was announced — the UAE embarked on another journey. Scheduled on the International Day of Happiness this was its first-ever Happiness Journey, which included a Happiness Walk from the Dubai Water Canal to the BOXPARK, and back.

The event — which will now be celebrated annually — focused on five main values of happiness: Giving, Positivity, Gratitude, Relationships and Meaning, with each value having its own stand. Visitors took part in awareness sessions on happiness and positivity, presented by local and international scientists and experts.

Describing the walk as a sample march towards happiness and positivity as a lifestyle in the UAE, Ohood Al Roumi said: “Happiness is a journey not a destination, hence the name of our event today is the happiness journey.”

Encouraging people to remain optimistic, UAE Happiness Minister Al Roumi during the happiness journey said that positivity is a perspective. “Positivity is the pair of glasses through which you view the world. If the glasses are dark, you see the world as full of disasters and evil, but with positive outlook, we see the world as full of positivity, achievements and happiness. you’ll even see challenges as opportunities.”

The journey was also attended and lauded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who encouraged the diverse combination of people from various cultural backgrounds attending the event.

The UAE has been ranked as the happiest nation in the Gulf region. In the World Happiness Report of 2017, the UAE is ranked as 21st happiest nation in the world. The country stood at 28th in 2016.