Bates to give Welsh perspective at ‘happiness’ summit

Release/Rhyddhau: 28/06/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Mick Bates AM will be putting the view from Wales at an influential conference on happiness today.

The conference – The Politics of Wellbeing – will bring together 100 invited guests from across the UK. Organised by the Sustainable Development Commission, the conference in London will be chaired by Anna Ford.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Mick Bates said: “Wellbeing and improving people’s quality of life is what sustainable development is all about. More and more people are realising that producing more stuff, or doing things faster and faster, are not necessarily a route to greater happiness.

“Post-war politics in the last few decades has been all about economic success. Successful political parties have been those who have created jobs, wealth and a sense that things are getting better. But beyond a certain level, all the research suggests that more money does not make people happier. If we are to develop more contented societies we have to rethink the way we do politics, and what we want from our governments, businesses and individuals in order to achieve it. I hope this conference will be able to help shape this debate which is crucial to the future of Wales, and the World.”

Attendees will include leading figures from the worlds of science, journalism, environmentalism and commerce.

Mick has been invited as chair of NASEG – the National Assembly Sustainable Energy Group.