Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi, UAE State Minister for Happiness, introduces the series of Happiness and Positivity educational seminars for government employees as part of the broader National Happiness and Positivity Programme.

The seminars intend to educate public sector workers about the National Happiness and Positivity Programme and its goal of establishing a happy society in the UAE. They are vital to the success of the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, which focuses on three primary pillars: Happiness and Positivity in Government Work, Happiness and Positivity as a Lifestyle, and, last however definitely not least, Measuring Happiness and Positivity, which will include developing systems and indices to record the development made in that area.

" His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai stresses that it is the government's job to instil positivity as an essential characteristic in society," assures Al Roumi, insisting on the importance of attending these seminars, and adding that "the National Happiness and Positivity Programme sticks to HH's instructions in a quote to turn the UAE into a role model for the area and the world."

The inaugural event, titled "Happiness", took place recently at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, and was attended by 350 federal and local public sector workers. International Expert Mike Waking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Denmark-- ranked as the happiest nation worldwide in 2016-- spoke at the event.

Waking, who is likewise a contributing scientist for the World Database of Happiness and a member of the Latin American Network for Luxury and Quality of Life, praised the UAE leadership its efforts and initiatives to raise the level of joy and complete satisfaction for all citizens in the Emirates. The initiatives, projects and creative programs released by the UAE government, he noted, serve to establish a favorable social environment and spread happiness and satisfaction among all sections of society. Waking went on to examine the really idea of happiness and its importance on an international scale, in addition to the challenges that stand in the way of achieving it.

To that end, Her Excellency signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr Waking, which underlines the importance of collaboration in between the two parties and the sharing of knowledge and expertise with regards to happiness, along with the need to develop treatments to train and inform government personnel and make happiness a part of the governments work culture.