What's the secret to happiness? Ask the contented Finns!

Seattle University’s College of Arts and Sciences presents the winter edition of its popular Conversations program: a discussion on societal happiness with special guest Her Excellency Minna Laajava, Consul General of Finland.

Laajava will join journalist Joni Balter and Seattle University student Naho Umitani on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. in Oberto Commons for an engaging conversation about the nexus of public and social policy and happiness.

What do the people of Finland know about contentment? Quite a lot, according to the experts. Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for eight consecutive years by the World Happiness Report. Consul General Laajava knows the Finnish story well and will share her insights with students, faculty and staff, and the Seattle community.

Laajava will discuss Finnish public policies, trust in institutions, effects of sauna, Finland’s exemplary, innovative education system, and its foundational belief in fairness and freedom of speech, among other topics.

The interview-style program will be led by Balter, professional-in-residence at Seattle University, and Umitani, Truman Scholar and senior majoring in economics and public affairs. The event is proudly co-sponsored by the Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership and Department of International Studies. 

Free and open to the public, this program promises to be informative and fun. And who knows? It could spark an outbreak of happiness on a cold February day.