A first of its kind search to be launched on 20th March
Singapore, 20 March 2008 -- All of us search for happiness. We know that money, a new job, a new car, a new condo or material comfort do not in themselves lead to lasting happiness. A recent survey reported that nine in ten Singaporeans feel that life here is getting more stressful, and they want more fun! [1] . All of us know individuals who are happy. But what is their secret – how do they stay happy in busy, stressful Singapore?
Global Leadership Academy Pte Ltd (GLA), a Singapore-based leadership-consulting firm, is launching the first-ever Search For Singapore’s Happiest Person, a two-week campaign starting on 16th March and ending on 30th March. The Search is held in conjunction with The New Science of Happiness and Well-Being conference which is taking place on the 16 - 17 April 2008 at Singapore Expo and Convention Centre.
“Being based in Singapore and having trained thousands of people across the globe, one distinct trend I have noticed is that despite material wealth and economic success, Singaporeans consider themselves less happy than many other people,” said GLA founder and CEO Mr. Philip Merry.
“A recent survey found that citizens of Singapore and South Korea ranked their countries as among the most stressful places to live in[2]. The irony is that these two countries have among the highest per capita incomes in Asia. Singaporeans fret about financial security and retirement. Many Singaporeans are concerned they do not have enough money to grow old gracefully, and that seems to make them unhappy,” Mr. Merry said.
“There must be truly happy Singaporeans who find joy no matter what, and who can inspire other Singaporeans. We want to seek them out and understand how they approach life and learn from them,” he said.
The search applies only to Singapore citizens above 18 years of age. Any Singaporean, Singapore PR or resident of Singapore of any age, can nominate a Singapore citizen for the title of Singapore’s Happiest Person 2008. Anyone nominating a candidate should write a short description (300 and 1,000 words) on why their nominee is a model of happiness. Nominees will be assessed on:
1. Happy smiling disposition – others feel good to be around them
2. Ability to be happy no matter what life presents them with
3. Has a strong sense of community and belonging – family and friends
4. Stays consistently happy – not up one moment and down the next
5. Contributes to society by bringing happiness to others
Nominations via email should be sent to by midnight 30th March and contain:
1) Name, email, address, telephone, NRIC number and full contact details of nominee
2) Name, email, address, telephone, NRIC number and full contact details of person(s) making nomination
3) Description of at least 300 words but longer than 1,000 words on why this person deserves the title
The nominees will be judged by a panel will be made up of:
1. Dr Sorinder Singh – Singapore Family Physician for 33 years
2. Mr Najib Ali - Creative Director, Dua M Pte Ltd.
3. Dr. Leong Chan-Hoong - Head of Psychology Programme, SIM University
4. Lord Bittleson of Newnham – Author, Business and Personal Mentor, Singapore PR
The top three winners will be announced on April 4th and will attend as guests at The New Science of Happiness and Well-Being conference which is taking place on the 16 - 17 April 2008 at Singapore Expo and Convention Centre. The winner of the title Singapore’s Happiest Person will be announced on the second day of the conference. Prizes are sponsored by Marriott Vacation Club, Asia Pacific.
First Prize : 3D/ 2N Stay at Marriott's Phuket Beach Club worth S$2240/-
Second Prize : 3D/ 2N Stay at Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa worth S$648/-
Third Prize : 2D/ 1N Weekend Stay at The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore worth S$410/-
Released on the behalf of Global Leadership Academy Pte Ltd by KinetiqBuzz PR (http://www.kinetiqbuzz.com)
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About Global Leadership Academy Pte Ltd: Global Leadership Academy Pte Ltd specialises in helping global organisations deal with developing teams, cross-cultural partnership and leadership. It also focuses on happiness and well-being strategies for life and the work place. It is the only consulting firm in the world to combine the work of culture and team gurus Charles Hampden-Turner, Fons Trompenaars, Ned Hermann and Meredith Belbin, producers of “best in class” profiling tools which examine Cultural Values, Team Roles, Brain Dominance.
Media Contacts: Conference/Search Enquiries contact Philip Merry – tel 6322 1477
Media Enquiries contact Dean Shams – M: 6227 1451,
Footnotes: [1] & [2] 16-nation Asia Pacific study called the "Eye on Asia" by marketing firm Grey Group – Nov 2007
Note To Editors: About The New Science of Happiness and Wellbeing Conference
The New Science Of Happiness And Well-Being conference brings together a faculty of the 9 world leaders in psychology of well being and happiness for this event – including the founder of Positive Psychology – Dr. Martin Seligman – author of best seller Authentic Happiness.
They will share the history of, and latest research on happiness as well as help participants understand how to develop long-term happiness in their own lives. We now understand the “SCIENCE” of Happiness – and that understanding has enormous implications for the workplace, health, education, parenting, for the pursuit of material possessions and for the journey of life.
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