Measuring Well-Being

The 7th Generation Initiative aims to focus discussion on the goals we want our societies to pursue, and a public choice about the values we want to have underlie public and other decision making. Besides the links to the ongoing well-being measurement work of the Suzuki and Atkinson Foundations, his page accesses materials produced while the Canada Well-Being Measurement Act was being promoted in the House of Commons, 1997 - 2003. While some action items are dated the explanations remain valid and the need even more pressing.

New: The Atkinson Charitable Foundation has gathered much

of the talent that produced the Canada Well-Being

Measurement Act and is well on its way to creating the

Canadian Index of Well-Being.

David Suzuki Foundation takes on Well-being Measurement Program.

Motion M-385 passes in the House of Commons - June 3, 2003

Text of discussion leading to the vote.

Measurement Act Scheduled for discussion in the House of Commons June 2, 2003.

Key Points in the Canada Well-Being Measurement Act and the purpose of instituting genuine progress measurement in Canada.

The Genuine Progress Index
An early model for improving our measure of well-being.

Introduction from Joe Jordan MP to the Canada Well-Being Measurement Act, and his speech in the House of Commons.

The Canada Well-Being Measurement Act

Media Kit: Interested in doing a story? This link provides a variety of materials including an outline of the the basic initiative, its key points and ready access to related documents.

How you can help.

Donating to the Sustainability Project

Municipal Endorsements:

The 7th Generation Initiative

Measuring Well-Being: Table of Contents & text.

This document provides the background information upon which the 7th Generation Initiative and theCanada Well-Being Measurement Act are based.

The idea is catching on. Federal Cabinet Ministers are talking about Measuring Well-Being.
Gaining All Party Support.

Purpose and Principles

Articles of various lengths are available here introducing the 7th Generation Initiative from various perspectives. You are welcome to reproduce them.

Discussion Kit. This materials offers suggestions for engaging any group of people in a discussion about what they value and how we might measure whether things are getting better or worse. Feedback from such discussions can help demonstrate what citizens' interests are and will help identify what measures need to be developed.

Measuring Well-Being

A look at:

- How we measure well-being,

- Problems that arise from only counting
economic expansion,

- Ways to augment our measuring system
to guide us more directly
toward well-being.

---

Contents

A Great Opportunity

Introduction

Measuring Well-Being

Environmental Concerns:

Pollution and Resource Depletion

Biodiversity

Social Concerns:

Lack of Opportunities to Participate:

Failure to account for non-monetary contributions to well-being:

Conclusion

Appendix

Campaign Proposal.

The 7th Generation Initiative.

Encourage work on the "7th Generation Initiative".

Purpose and Principles.