The Keys to Happiness

What is the secret to a happy country? And how does government play a role in shaping a society’s overall satisfaction with life? These were the questions on attendees’ minds during an engaging and wide-ranging discussion at Seattle University’s Oberto Commons with Finland’s Consul General, Her Excellency Minna Laajava.

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences’ quarterly Conversations series, the standing room-only event gave students and the campus community unique insight into Finnish culture and government.

According to the World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world and has been top ranked as such for eight consecutive years. Laajava joined Seattle University senior and Truman Scholar Naho Umitani and Professional-in-Residence Joni Balter to discuss what the happy Finns know and how Americans can learn from their success.

During the discussion, Laajava, Balter and Umitani covered topics ranging from the importance of funding social services and the cultural significance of sauna to the surprising ways that babies take naps in Finland.

Being ranked as the world’s happiest country “provokes a certain kind of curiosity toward Finns and Finnish-ness,” said Laajava. “It’s been something that has been built in our society for a long time.”

Noting that happiness is not an inherent personality trait of Finnish people, Laajava explained to the hosts and audience how policy, culture and history have built, as she put it, an “infrastructure of happiness” in the country.

You can watch the full talk on The Seattle Channel.