International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness: March 20

The United Nations established the International Day of Happiness to prompt us to actively foster joy within ourselves and our communities, recognizing its profound significance in enhancing collective well-being and societal harmony. At the U of A, we recognize the day to remind us that happiness is an essential human experience we can actively cultivate for ourselves and our communities.

Happiness Reflected

Community Creative Project, Vol. 2

Happiness Reflected is back with volume two, a collection of original creative works from our campus community that Days of Action has curated intentionally for Happiness Day.

This collection is available in a variety of formats:

  • View posters of select art pieces at all U of A Libraries
  • Read the chapbook. Immerse yourself in the whole collection, and take time to consider the reflection questions found throughout to help you engage with your own experience of happiness.

Happiness Reflected Podcast: Season 2

This podcast is about reflecting on how to cultivate meaningful happiness in our lives while listening to University of Alberta community members discuss how they explored perspectives of their own happiness in relation to their original poems, stories, visual are and songs they submitted to this project.

We are grateful to the University of Alberta Library and the Sound Studies Institute who partnered with us to make The Happiness Reflected Podcast possible.

Listen to Happiness Reflected at the links below or wherever you find podcasts.


Activities for International Day of Happiness

Calendar and Door Prizes

The happiness calendar is for students, faculty and staff at the University of Alberta. Use the calendar to learn about events, consider tips or participate in self-guided activities fostering various factors of happiness.

Try suggestions in the calendar and enter to win a door prize:

  • Pick one or many events, tips or self-guided activities to engage with.
  • Once you try a suggestion, fill out this form to enter to win one of four prize packages.
  • You can get one entry for each calendar event, tip or activity you engage with.

Learn contest rules and information about prizes »


Happiness Awards

Happiness Awards provide a way to share gratitude for folks in our campus community. Take a moment to think about people you know in our campus community who have contributed to your happiness or helped you out over the course of the year or maybe you know someone who will benefit from some encouragement.

To nominate someone, just tell us how they contribute happiness to our community. The recipient will receive an e-card highlighting their happiness award and your anonymous message (if you opt to share) describing how they've brightened your day.

Nominations close at noon on Monday, March 20, 2024.

Nominate someone for a Happiness Award »


Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.