Progress in the news - March 2011

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In the News

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Progress in the News

The number of children in Wales placed in local authority care has risen by 44% in the last decade, figures show.


In the future, development will be measured by targets on emissions, trade, arms and crime, and underpinned by good governance. And we will strive for material, planetary and relational wellbeing


We may have less money. But so will everybody else. If my child cannot buy the latest trainers, nor can his friends. So he may not feel so bad after all.


Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released the results of a survey meant to measure the nation's happiness, the UK's Telegraph reports.


The construction of environmentally-friendly townships and neighbourhoods is important to provide a high quality of life for the public, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung.


Governments, academics and pollsters are hot on the trail of happiness.


If your carefree youth is a distant memory and you’re entering middle age with a sense of gloom . . . cheer up. The happiest time of your life is probably yet to come.


The prime minister's politicial philosophy shows repeated similarities to EF Schumacher's famous work


The Department of Census and Statistics reports significant reduction in poverty and improvements in quality of life indicators in the estate sector, according to the Planters Association of Ceylon (PA).


Indians have long preferred GDS to GDP: Gross Domestic Self-satisfaction. A 19th-century Cameron would have caught on to the fact that life is something more than a mere industrial revolution.


From next week the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will begin collecting the data that will go to make up the nation's happiness index.


U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has launched an initiative to measure the national mood in a way that isn't captured by traditional economic statistics. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German legislators are looking into similar programs.


As OSHA celebrates 40 years of protecting workers, we also remember the labor pioneers, safety advocates, community leaders and ordinary workers whose vision for a stronger America laid the foundations for the laws that keep workers safe and healthy today.


As early as 40 years ago when I used to teach introductory courses in economics at De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines, I already pointed out to my students that GDP measurements may actually hide the harmful effects of income growth on the welfare of human beings.


Life satisfaction — commonly known as happiness — is what it’s all about. What makes us happy is another matter altogether. The adage that money can’t buy happiness, it turns out, is mostly wrong.


Follow these principles: 1) Buy more experiences and fewer objects. 2) Don't worry about insurance. 3) The frequency of happy events matters more than their intensity.


Last month, I took issue with Professor Amartya Sen on the importance of growth comparisons in policy discourse.


The United Nations is celebrating the contribution of national climate services to people’s daily lives as it marks World Meteorological Day, which this year focuses on the theme “Climate for You.”


While reporting my column this week, I exchanged e-mails with the development economists Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee.


We're familiar with the American trinity of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Washington typically passes laws to protect the first two. Should we start paying more attention to the third?


The mass media in Japan have played up the news of China's gross domestic product exceeding, in U.S. dollar terms, Japan's to become the second largest economy in the world after the United States.


As part of a special report on “the future of the state”, The Economist responds to the increasingly widespread view that “Beijing really gets things done”, pointing out areas like education and local government financing and accountability in which serious deficiencies remain.


The political, economic, and psychological consequences of Japan's catastrophe.


In both developed and developing countries, there is an increasing interest in what can be called happiness economics.


The indication of 7-percent economic growth is a strong message by the Chinese Government to grow in its economy not just in terms of speed, but also by quality. Also, more efforts will be taken to make sure that the economic growth is not at the expense of environment.


As the green debate gathers steam, concern is mounting that the pattern of economic growth in many countries is not sustainable. Inevitably, these concerns have helped spawn a growing literature on 'sustainable development'.


Two key pieces of research were released on either side of the Atlantic this week, shedding new light on what we can do to live longer — and why experts will be squabbling over the secrets of longevity long after most of us have turned up our toes.


For decades, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been a standard yardstick for measuring living standards around the world. (The U.S., at $14 trillion, remains far above any other single nation in GDP.)


The state almost everywhere is big, inefficient and broke. It needn’t be, says John Micklethwait


Californians are bummed out. The Golden State's residents rated their quality of life at its lowest mark in almost 20 years, citing the economic downturn and stagnant personal finances, according to a joint UC Berkeley and Field Poll.


Sydney is the Elizabeth Taylor of Australian cities. It is a little-appreciated fact that the ageing Hollywood glamazon was born just weeks before the grand opening ceremony for the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.


The United States has dropped off the list of the top 25 most globalized nations, according to the new Index of Globalization released today by the KOF Swiss Economic Institute.


Communities across Canada will be improving the well-being of seniors as a result of the Government of Canada's support of 810 projects. The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State (Seniors) made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.


Just over 20 years ago in Jomtien some 155 countries signed up to the World Declaration on Education for All, spearheading a movement to close vast gaps in learning opportunities.


The government introduces the country’s new mantra


China’s two parliamentary sessions [the National People's Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, held annually in Beijing] opened under heavy military presence because of echoes of the Jasmine Revolution reverberating in China since Feb. 20. 


How Gurgaon eventually shapes up is dependent on how its citizens want it to develop. No one else has a greater stake in the city's progress than its citizens.


Some two million people who live in informal low income settlements (favelas) in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, Brazil, will be benefiting from a 485 million US dollars development policy loan for the Metropolitan and Housing Project approved by the World Bank.


Children in households reporting a drop in income over the past year were more than twice as likely to experience low levels of happiness as those in homes where income had risen, research for the Children's Society has shown.


30 years' of economic reforms in China have created an economic miracle. The government has promoted economic growth with a GDP target every year.


The two sessions, or called “Liang Hui” in Chinese, refering to the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC, the legislature of China) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC, the top political advisory body of China) were concluded a few days ago. As the most important annual political events in China, the two sessions have caught the eyes of the world’s media


Residents of the 46807 postal ZIP code can help develop a Quality of Life Plan for that area through a process being coordinated by Pathfinder Community Connections.


Boulder, Colo., had the highest Well-Being Index score in the U.S. across the 188 metropolitan areas that Gallup and Healthways surveyed in 2010.


Last week we wrote about Alvin Wong, the American who fits all the demographic characteristics associated with happiness, based on results from Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data.


Roger Cohen writes about David Cameron’s new campaign calling for a focus on “emotional prosperity” rather than just financial prosperity. As he notes, it’s easy to be cynical about Cameron’s motives — and I am.


A badly-paid or temporary job can be as bad for mental health as no job at all, research has suggested.


Roger Cohen discusses in the Times Britain’s initiative to start measuring happiness, life-satisfaction, anxiety, and more by asking people about it. The point of this, Cohen says, quoting Andrew Oswald, “is to shift ‘from the concept of financial prosperity to the idea of emotional prosperity.’”


According to a recent poll, more New Yorkers believe that life is getting worse than those who see it getting better.


As an owner of a licensed family child care for 15 years, I am glad parents can get information about a specific facility.


Every year the African Union (AU) adopts a theme to guide it in the realisation of its objectives. Last year the theme was "Peace and Security", this year it is "Shared Values".


Alaskans, rejoice: we are the fourth happiest state in terms of "well being" according to a recent Gallup poll. The poll took into account life evaluation, work environment, emotional health, healthy behaviors, basic access to clean water, exercise and medical services, and overall physical health.


The Brits don’t go in much for happiness. Stiff upper lip is more the thing, and a good laugh if warranted. Trying to be happy just seems like piffle to a practical people. Undeterred, Prime Minister David Cameron has decided to create a national happiness index providing quarterly measures of how folks feel.


There's life and there's the job, right? Wrong. Anna Tims reveals the secrets that can truly improve your sense of wellbeing … without you having to trek through the Himalayas


Utah ranks 8th in the nation for the overall well-being of its residents, with a slight drop — from 16th to 17th — for their workplace contentment.


"Farewell GDP fetish!" proclaims the cover headline of the latest issue of China Newsweek magazine.


The global company Gallup (of Gallup Poll fame) has deve-loped a service focused on measuring the well-being of employees. They claim that employee well-being has a direct and significant impact on the bottom line and therefore provides companies with a financial and competitive advantage.


Regional income inequality has risen in many countries. What should be done about it?


The Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee has poured cold water on the idea that provinces will be able to double their GDPs within the next five years.


The average Briton risks cutting 12 years off their life because of their unhealthy lifestyle, according to Bupa.


Most expats leave the UK looking for a happier life - and they find it, according to new research.


Zimbabwe is a country of contrasts, and it comes as no surprise that its climate was voted “the best climate on Earth” alongside that of Malta in International Living magazine’s 2011 Quality of Life Index, published this January.


Women across the globe celebrate the centenary of IWD, but one thing remains clear – so much still has to change


Local governments are now being pushed to build at least 10 million affordable apartments this year to house the exploding population in big cities.


Chinese lawmakers and political advisors' enthusiastic discussions on building "a happy China" during two ongoing important meetings has attracted great attention from foreign media.


On the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day Euro MP Arlene McCarthy MEP has spoken of the challenges women still face today.


Jeni Klugman: People are healthier and more prosperous than they used to be. But are they freer?


In denouncing a GDP cult (reckless pursuit of economic growth), China should avoid another form of cult: blind worship of the so-called "Happiness Index."


Suppose someone were to describe a small country that provided free education through university for all of its citizens, transportation for school children, and free health care – including heart surgery – for all.


We must try to do better than obsess about GDP


Sun and waves might be good for the soul, according to a new national survey naming Hawaii as tops in well-being among U.S. states — but the sunshine doesn't necessarily elbow out Northern Lights and snow, as Alaska also made the top 10 happiest states list.


Today’s edition of 6 Q’s About the News asks students to analyze an interactive map, “Mapping the Nation’s Well-Being,” to find many of the answers to the questions below. They will also use a short, related piece, “Discovered: The Happiest Man in America.”


Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday unfolded the road map for China's social and economic development during the next five years, setting targets for the quality and efficiency of economic growth and speaking about the transformation of the growth mode and economic restructuring.


Southern states have the lowest wellbeing scores in the nation.


For the last three years, Gallup has called 1,000 randomly selected American adults each day and asked them about indicators of their quality of life. Responses are converted to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Here are the 2010 results, sorted by Congressional districts.


For the last three years, Gallup has called 1,000 randomly selected American adults each day and asked them about their emotional status, work satisfaction, eating habits, illnesses, stress levels and other indicators of their quality of life.


A locally developed mental well-being scale was launched on Friday by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

In state budget discussions and in local elections, we occasionally view our parks as a luxury item we can easily do without.


Perhaps the pursuit of happiness was never such a good idea. But, in 1776, this objective from the French Enlightenment seemed to be convincing enough that it was incorporated into the Constitution of the newly formed United States of America as a founding principle.


North Dakota was credited with the nation’s best job market in 2010, according to Gallup's Job Creation Index study. The results are based on aggregated data from nearly 200,000 interviews with employed adults during 2010.


The Health Promotion Board of Singapore has introduced a mental well-being scale that is the first to be reflective of its Asian values and multi-ethnic beliefs, it said Friday.


Today's lesson: be happy, live longer. Now science seems to back the glass half-full approach.


The international measure of well-being of a nation is usually GDP (Gross Domestic Product) but production or money is only part of well-being. Some nations are suggesting that happiness be the measure.


Evidence that the nurture and stimulus children receive in their earliest years provide foundations for their future lives is now unassailable.

In the years since the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan embraced the idea of measuring national progress by the happiness of its citizens, the idea has caught the imagination of leading economists and political leaders across the world.


From next month, Britain’s statisticians begin the task of assessing how happy we all are, responding to David Cameron’s oft-repeated view that there’s more to life than money.


China has ordered its officials to go out and "make people happy" in a bid to combat simmering discontent caused by a widening rich-poor divide, choking pollution, soaring inflation and endemic corruption.


The tiny, remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan first invented the idea of using happiness as a measure of good governance – an idea its superpower neighbour China has now borrowed.


"I was really frustrated when I was told my promotion was suspended," said Ma Dechen, the party leader in a mountainous township in central China's Henan Province.


Heading into China's National People's Congress (NPC) this week, which is something akin to the start of a new congress in the U.S., the chatter has been noticeably less on GDP growth and more on happiness.


In a two-hour online chat with Web users Sunday, Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to prioritize issues that are at the heart of "people's happiness," such as ensuring social equality and justice.


China has set a lower average annual economic growth target of 7 percent for 2011 to 2015, Premier Wen Jiabao has revealed.


The HDI is an attempt to simplify and communicate the complexity of human development using a numerical representation. Yet, there are alternatives to these numerical representations that have not been much explored in the context of the HDI.


I am sure many of you are rejoicing at what the papers had to say yesterday. India's gross domestic product (GDP) is going to shoot up even beyond the 9% we had hoped it would reach. Yippee.


Being happy and cheerful in teen years could be key to greater well being and satisfaction in adulthood, says new research.


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