Ajman Crown Prince calls for happiness surveys

H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, has praised the wise leadership's objective for ensuring the happiness of its people, and the Federal Government's efforts to turn this goal into a reality.

The Crown Prince's statement during a meeting to discuss the preparation of a happiness survey to be implemented by the Ajman Programme of Excellence early next year. H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid directed the implementation of the programme which aims to provide reliable measures concerning the happiness of individuals, families, and investors in the Emirate of Ajman.

"We, in the Government of Ajman and accordance with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, are determined to be an active member and a major contributor to making our country one of the happiest countries in the world," Sheikh Ammar said.

His Highness added that happiness index should measure the correlation between the happiness we live in and the national feeling of pride of Emirati citizens, their pride in their country, loyalty to its leadership, as well as the small things that individuals enjoy in their daily lives.

Saeed Al Matroushi, Secretary-General of the Ajman Executive Council, said, "The objective of the study is to establish a baseline for the happiness index in Ajman and to prepare an integrated database on happiness in the emirate to be presented to our partners in the federal government. It will also be an important strategic indicator and one of the financial planning inputs in the government."

The survey also aims to understand the relationship between government performance and community happiness and explore new trends on the role of government in systematically promoting quality of life and identifying the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of government roles in promoting happiness.

It includes the conceptualisation of a set of sub-indices related to data obtained from the 2017 Census and other indicators related to social values, including local public services related to municipal services, infrastructure and recreational services.

The scope of the happiness survey includes identifying the themes of societal happiness and creating a clear vision that contributes to the development of public policies that are then translated into government agendas, projects and initiatives.