In a polarized world, where do people find their happiness?

Global leaders are grappling with widening divisions across countries and cultures amid geopolitical crises, economic uncertainty, and lower trust in institutions. The consequences: greater political polarization, weaker familial relationships, and overall lower life satisfaction.

Semafor, in partnership with Gallup and in coordination with the World Happiness Report editorial team, will present the latest data and insights at the 2025 World Happiness Report launch.

Conversations with top decision-makers and leaders will focus on the report's key themes around kindness, generosity, and happiness, allowing global leaders and citizens to better understand happiness and kindness trends, ways to improve social connections, and policies that enhance well-being.

When

March 20, 2025

Doors: 8:30 a.m. ET

Programming: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. ET

Where

Washington, D.C.

Speakers

Dr. Catalina Crespo-Sancho

Costa Rican Ambassador to the U.S.

Amb. Leena-Kaisa Mikkola

Finnish Ambassador to the U.S.

Amb. Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir

Icelandic Ambassador to the U.S.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Founder, Art of Living

Gretchen Rubin

Author; Founder, The Happiness Project

Melissa Stevens

Executive Vice President, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy

Robert Egger

Founder, DC Central Kitchen and Founding Board member, The World Central Kitchen

Sara Konrath

Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Gerardo Bethin

Interim Co-President; Vice President, International Programs,  Freedom House

Hilary Silver

Professor of Sociology, International Affairs, and Public Policy and Public Administration, George Washington University

Jon Clifton

CEO, Gallup Organization

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve

Director, Wellbeing Research Centre

Russell Shaw

Head of School, Georgetown Day School

Karen Guggenheim

Co-Founder, World Happiness Summit

EJ Dionne

Senior Fellow, Brookings

Chika Morishima

Executive Officer & Vice President, Aijnomoto

Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo

Member of the Board of Directors for the Coalition to Empower our Future

Moderators

Justin B. Smith

Co-Founder and CEO, Semafor

Morgan Chalfant

Deputy Washington Editor, Semafor

Bennett Richardson

General Manager, Global Head of Public Affairs, Semafor

Amna Nawaz

Co-Host, PBS News Hour & Semafor Contributor

Dr. Alden Lai

Assistant Professor, NYU & Board Member, Wellbeing for Planet Earth Foundation

Location

901 F Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20004

 


Doors Open: 8:30 a.m. ET
Programming: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET

Media Information

Please note that external recording devices, including professional camera equipment with detachable lenses, external flash, monopods, bipods, tripods, are not permitted at this event. 

Please contact communications@semafor.com if more information is needed.

What is Happiness?

Since the World Happiness Report debuted in 2012, the Gallup World Poll has provided the data behind the annual happiness rankings featured in the report and insights into global wellbeing and happiness. 

Replay last year's World Happiness Report Launch Event to see how people around the world defined happiness in 2024.