Going beyond GDP

An international Economics of Happiness conference, co-hosted by Local Futures and Happy City, will bring thinkers, activists and innovators to Bristol to debate the creation of a new economy that supports flourishing lives and a thriving planet.

Hosted across city-centre venues from 19-21 October 2018, the conference will coincide with the annual summit of the Global Parliament of Mayors, which is also taking place in Bristol.

Global to local

The Economics of Happiness conference – the 18th in an international series – will explore and explain how we can shift direction from a globalised system of inequality and environmental degradation towards local cultures and economies that put wellbeing and resilience first.

Internationally recognised experts will come together with local leaders and activists for three days of plenary talks, panel discussions and workshops on the global-to-local theme.

Topics include the economics of local food systems, the role of business in a wellbeing economy, the future of cities and the regeneration of community.

‘We are exactly 10 years on from a banking crisis that highlighted fatal flaws at the heart of our economy, yet we still haven’t seen the systemic changes needed to tackle them.

‘Rising inequality and climate chaos are clear alarm bells that tell us the current system is no longer fit for purpose. We believe it’s time to look beyond outdated single-issue approaches and harness the power of local initiatives to tackle global issues.

‘Come along to inspire and be inspired as we learn how people like us are challenging broken ways of doing things with better, practical and shareable alternatives.’

MIKE ZEIDLER
Director of Bristol-based charity Happy City and conference co-host

Helena Norberg-Hodge, pioneer of the new economy movement and conference co-host, said the conference is ‘a unique opportunity to discuss the ‘big picture’ – moving beyond the narrow Left/Right parameters of conventional economic thinking to look at root causes and root solutions.’

‘Rather than attempting to solve every problem by growing the economy, we need to focus instead on meeting real human and ecological needs. This is what we mean by the economics of happiness’, Helena added. ‘The world is at a tipping point – culturally, socially and economically. We urgently need to reclaim our sense of community and our connection to place.’

Writer and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby will be moderating at the conference. He said, ‘Events like this, which are driven by a fierce passion for doing good in the world, are always a strong draw for me. I chaired a Local Futures conference in London some years ago, and found the combination of expert speakers, real world examples and practical solutions highly stimulating.’