GLOBAL HAPPINESS: What do we need to be happy?

The exhibition by Helvetas goes in search of happiness – in Switzerland and across the world. This journey asks the question: what could "sustainable happiness" look like? Happiness that contributes to personal, societal and global well-being and does not harm the environment, other people or future generations? And what is it that makes the world, us, you and me, happy?

• Quartier Libre at Pont de la Machine,  Genève
• When: May 6, 2021 to October 17, 2021

The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive events program (see program flyer in German). You can find information about the public events on our events page.

Other upcoming venues for the GLOBAL HAPPINESS exhibition

• Aquatis, Lausanne (November 3, 2021 to May 2, 2022)

After being shown in West Switzerland, the exhibition will move to Zurich, Bern and other cities in the German-speaking part of the country.

Stay tuned for more information!

"GLOBAL HAPPINESS: What do we need to be happy?" is the name of the new exhibition from Helvetas about a happy and sustainable world. It tackles the question of how people can all live a happy and contented life together on earth, and within the confines of the planet's resources.

Happiness is a big word. Some people prefer to talk about satisfaction, well-being, quality of life or the "good life". The pursuit of happiness is an old and universal yearning of humanity. Today, the issue has been brought up again in debates about a sustainable world and the adoption of UN Sustainable Development Goals: what could "sustainable happiness" look like? Happiness that contributes to personal, societal and global well-being and does not harm the environment, other people or future generations?

The GLOBAL HAPPINESS exhibition innovatively puts the idea of "sustainable happiness" centre stage.

GLOBAL HAPPINESS is designed as a garden landscape. Visitors measure their happiness level, visit the home of a young minimalist, wander through a visionary district in Santiago de Chile and encounter gross national happiness in Bhutan. Additional emphasis is given to the positive changes taking place throughout the world and the specific courses of action of individuals. Each pavilion shines a light on possible aspects of "sustainable happiness" and shows how closely connected global happiness and sustainability are, since planet earth has limited resources.

Over the next few years, the "GLOBAL HAPPINESS: What do we need to be happy?" exhibition will be coming to numerous Swiss museums and to Liechtenstein. Whoever wishes to join the search can do so at the Quartier Libre SIG in Geneva from May 6, 2021 to October 17, 2021. Other locations for the exhibition will be announced on an ongoing basis.