Helen Russell
How strong are the Nordic countries? Are they strong enough to be happy!? British journalist and author of bestseller The Year of Living Danishly Helen Russell has tried out the famous Danish happiness. Professor of psychology at the Arctic University of Norway Joar Vittersø has written more than 70 scientific journal articles and book chapters on human well-being, positive emotions and intrinsic motivation. Former Swedish journalist and writer Bengt Lindroth has investigated populism and nationalism in the Nordic countries.
Russell, Vittersø and Lindroth will be debating on why do the Nordic countries come out on top in rankings and surveys measuring welfare and how content people are at Arvamusfestival (the Festival of Opinion Culture) in Paide on Vallimäe Hill in the Citizens of Europe area at 15:00 on 12 August. The discussion will be in English, with simultaneous interpretation in sign language.
Since the restoration of independence in 1991 the Nordic welfare model has been used as kind of a role model in Estonia. The Nordic countries often come out on top in rankings and surveys measuring welfare and how content people while people in Estonia and other Baltic states are not that satisfied with their lives despite rapid economic growth and developments in their societies.
Do Estonians have good reason to feel happier than they do? How to achieve a society where people are happy, feel appreciated and empowered? Are the Nordic countries really so great place to live in as presumed?
Find out more about the debate and speakers.
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