Think tank Demos Finland and environmental organisation WWF Finland have published a manifesto entitled "The Politics of Happiness" (in a good English translation, although as yet available only in draft form).

The paper is truly excellent, and although a small part of its content is Finland specific, most of it is very relevant to us all.

Demos and WWF call for a new model of wellbeing that is not based on growth and they link it convincingly, I'd say, to a more sustainably lifestyle.

Living sustainably is living well, in other words.

"Most of us appreciate happiness more than economic wealth. In a democratic society this should be a matter of politics. We are in a situation where new challenges require new mechanisms. In politics of happiness is about developing and making use of these mechanisms. The research on happiness has increased in recent years. With the insight it offers us, building sustainable happiness should be easier than before. The manifesto tells how more peaceful rhythm, participation, meaningful action together, creation of culture of well-being and deeper relationships with others make building happiness possible and just."

A must read! (But start at page 5.)

(The original Finnish version, with a much better layout, is here).