International UN Happiness Day is an annual event of the United Nations, which has been conducted since 2012 on 20 March of very year, to reflect on the past and to reinforce the importance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and make them part of the public policy objective for countries.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders from the United Nations, the headmistress of Bakau Lower Basic, Senegalese teachers, Gambian English teachers, Bakau LBS students, Wellingara LBS students, and Tallinding LBS students.
The celebration of this great day also witnessed students participating in debates on different topics, among which was the debate on whether money can buy happiness; and what makes a student to be happy in school, as the day was all part of joy and happiness for the United Nations and the children.
In her remarks, the headmistress of Bakau Lower Basic School, Haddy Njie, welcomed all the participants and the organizers from the UK for choosing her school this year as the centre for the celebration of the UN International Happiness Day.
Mrs Njie recalled that the UN International Day of Happiness was first launched in 2012 to reinforce the importance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and make them part of public policy objective for countries.
“As we commemorate this day, I would like to suggest for us to surround ourselves with happy people, laugh more and experience more positively in our lives,” she stated.
Mrs Njie said Bakau New Town Lower Basic School might not be the biggest, wealthiest or greatest school in The Gambia, but it is certainly among the happiest.
She also commended the UK foundation for giving her school the opportunity to host such an important conference.
Dr Des Bowden BXC from the UK expressed gratitude to the Gambian people, and Bakau Lower Basic School for welcoming them to the Smiling Coast of Africa and for hosting the event in The Gambia.
The cerebration brought together teachers from Senegal, The Gambia and students from Tallinding, Wellingara and Bakau Lower Basic School to share and celebrate with them the United Nations International Happiness Day.
According to Dr Bowden, it was also part of their plan for the celebration, to conduct training courses for Gambia College students in Brikama next week.
He thanked their host BLBS for making the event successful.
Lamin Jarju, UNESCO ASPNET national coordinator, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of the day, adding that the day is an annual event that UN conducts every year since 2012.
He described the day as important to the United Nations to support peace and harmony in the country, as they want people to live in a peaceful environment.
Celebrating the day with the children would also contribute to their well-being, and improve their knowledge in school as they would be exposed to different skills.
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