Helena Norberg-Hodge: The Economics of Happiness

Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion Is there a connection between money and happiness? In her documentary, The Economics of Happiness, environmentalist Helena Norberg-Hodge advocates for localization—the rebuilding of communities and regional economies as the foundation of an "economics of happiness" to improve sustainability, raise cultural awareness and address societal woes tied to globalization. Local efforts profiled in the film include urban gardens in Detroit, Michigan, the Transition Town movement in England, community development in Japan, and cultural preservation in Peru and Ladakh ("Little Tibet"). The documentary launches in New York City at The Cooper Union's historic Great Hall followed by a panel discussion with Norberg-Hodge, Judy Wicks (co-founder, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), Gloria Steinem (co-founder New York and Ms. magazines) and others. This event is free and open to the public. The Economics of Happiness is produced by Helena Norberg-Hodge, and written and directed by Norberg-Hodge, Steven Gorelick, and John Page. The launch event is sponsored by The Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design, with Grace and Communications/Sustainable Table, Slow Food NYC, and others. Helena Norberg-Hodge is a leading analyst of the impact of the global economy on culture, agriculture, and individual identity. She is director of The International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), and is a co-founder of both the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) and the Global Eco-village Network. In 1986, she received the Right Livelihood Award, or the "Alternative Nobel Prize" as recognition for her work in Ladakh. Thursday, January 27th at 6:30 pm The Great Hall 7 East 7th Street, NYC The Cooper Union