Iceland Awarded for Leadership in Well-being Economy at Reykjavik Forum

Reykjavik, Iceland – You guys, Iceland is killin’ it! The Icelandic government snagged a HUGE honor on June , – the prestigious WHO Regional Director for Europe’s Award. Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but it basically means they’re rockstars in this whole well-being economy thing. They’ve been working hard both at home and on the global stage, and people are noticing. The award was presented at (drumroll please) the second annual Wellbeing Economy Forum in Reykjavik. This shindig celebrates Iceland’s long-time partnership with the WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative, a group laser-focused on transforming economies to put people and the planet first. Because let’s be real, a healthy planet means healthy people, right?

Forum Highlights Collaboration and Innovation

This wasn’t your grandma’s boring conference, folks. Building on the success of its first year, the Forum brought in over leaders and experts from more than countries, cities, and national networks. Talk about a brain trust! We’re talkin’ folks from health, economy, finance, climate action, employment, infrastructure, education, business… you name it, they were there.

The energy was electric! Attendees dove deep into topics like:

• Tools and Metrics: Think practical how-tos for building well-being economies.
• Innovative Approaches: Real-world success stories and policy examples to get those creative juices flowing.
• Scalable Solutions: Taking those awesome ideas and making them work from the local level all the way up to the global stage.

Leadership Emphasis on Well-being Investment

In a special video message, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge (try sayin’ that three times fast!) got real about the importance of investing in well-being and health equity. We’re talking about making sure everyone has a fair shot at a healthy life. He stressed that we gotta address the unmet needs of so many people out there and emphasized that strong leadership and collaboration are key to making this whole well-being economy thing a reality.

Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson jumped on that bandwagon in his opening address. He called out the traditional economic model, saying it puts too much emphasis on just “growth” without thinking about the bigger picture. He’s all about policies that put people first, promoting inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. And he hit us with a truth bomb when he asked, “If someone lacks basic needs like safety, healthcare, a job, and a roof over their head, does a high GDP per capita really make their life better?” Mic drop, Prime Minister. Mic drop.

Addressing Global Challenges with Evidence-Based Solutions

Let’s face it, the world’s got issues. We’re talking growing inequality, changing demographics (hello, aging population!), and economic shifts that leave some folks behind. But this Forum wasn’t about doom and gloom. It was about tackling these tough challenges head-on with solutions backed by solid evidence.

Here are just a few of the hot topics they dug into:

• Mental health: Because mental well-being is just as important as physical health, right? They talked about putting mental health front and center in economic policies.
• Youth inclusion: The kids are the future, but they need a seat at the table! The Forum explored ways to empower young people in this ever-changing economic landscape.
• Aging societies: We’re living longer (yay!), but how do our economies need to adapt? They discussed strategies to meet the needs of our awesome elders.
• Regional disparities: Everyone deserves a chance to thrive, no matter where they live. The Forum looked at ways to support regions that have been left behind.

The coolest part? Participants didn’t just talk about problems. They showcased real-world examples of how policies and investments based on values are creating positive ripple effects across the globe – socially, for people, and for the environment. We’re talkin’ win-win-win solutions, baby!

WHO/Europe: Champions of Well-being

Okay, let’s give a shout-out to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) for being total rockstars at the Forum. They weren’t just there to look pretty; they were actively involved in showing how they’re supporting this whole well-being economy movement.

Here’s the lowdown on their awesome work:

• City-level initiatives: Remember those awesome cities in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network? They’re putting well-being policies into action on the ground, and WHO/Europe is there to cheer them on and share those success stories with the world.
• National-level support: WHO/Europe is like that super helpful friend with all the resources. They’re hooking up governments with data, tools, and all the good stuff they need to invest in policies that make well-being and health equity a reality for everyone.
• Cross-sectoral collaboration: They’re all about breaking down silos and bringing people together! WHO/Europe is connecting the dots between finance, economy, and health to create well-being-focused policies and services that address everything from aging populations to mental health to making sure rural communities aren’t forgotten.

Iceland: Leading by Example

Prime Minister Benediktsson and Minister of Health Willum Þór Þórsson deserve a standing ovation for walking the walk when it comes to the well-being economy. They’re not just talking the talk; they’re showing the world how it’s done!

Ms. Chris Brown, the Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development, gave Iceland a big thumbs-up for their dedication. She emphasized how important this whole movement is, saying, “We’re at a turning point where more and more countries are realizing that well-being economies are the key to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.”

The Journey Continues: Building a Brighter Future Together

The Forum wrapped up with a powerful message: We’re all in this together! It’s time to roll up our sleeves and work together to build solutions that put people first. The WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative, launched in 2022 and led by the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development, is playing a crucial role in guiding this global shift towards a future where everyone can thrive.

So, buckle up, buttercup! The journey towards a well-being economy has just begun, and it’s going to be epic.