The Art of Happiness: How Youth Are Turning Moral Values into Creative Action
Hungarians are known for their kindness and sense of community. “Respect, attention to each other and politeness form the basis of the true Hungarian culture,” says Way to Happiness Hungary Executive Director Antónia Novák. “But today, basic values have been lost. They are not talked about anymore. Dishonest conduct is promoted and intolerance becomes the norm. The degree of decline is such that, if it continues, we will face a very bleak future.”
Believing that “values can be restored in an individual and a society,” Novák and her husband made it their mission to make moral values the trend. To do so, they created the Way to Happiness Contest to inspire children and teens to live by the 21 precepts of The Way to Happiness. “If we instill positive values in someone’s life early on, the children will grow up making better decisions, and we will have a better tomorrow.”
Each year, the contest highlights one of the 21 moral principles and challenges youth to express it through art, music or film. “We come up with a title based on the value we want to address,” says Novák. “We send out a call for entries and post it on Facebook.” Students respond with colorful, creative works that bring each virtue to life. “The colors and details and expressions are incredible and very inspiring,” she adds.
“Respect, attention to each other and politeness form the basis of the true Hungarian culture.”
Teachers describe the contest as a powerful motivator. “It’s a great pleasure for me that almost the whole class was able to come to this event. The children came in with such enthusiasm,” said one teacher. Another noted, “Children who were difficult in class at the school have become role models and have proven even to themselves that anyone can be good.”
Through this contest, thousands of Hungarian children have learned not just to understand values, but to live them every day.
Watch how Novák has brought The Way to Happiness to her nation at Scientology.TV/Novaks.
FACTS
45 YEARS OF HAPPINESS
The Way to Happiness: 45 years in review
144,000,000
BOOKLETS
distributed internationally
194
NATIONS
reached worldwide
119
LANGUAGES
that The Way to Happiness booklet has been translated into
270,000,000
PEOPLE REACHED
globally with The Way to Happiness
1,800,000
COURSE LESSONS
completed on The Way to Happiness online course
RESTORE MORAL VALUES
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support the production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet.
