Rethinking well-being: the contribution of the social sciences to the construction and understanding of social well-being in the world and in Africa
Repenser le bien-être : contribution des sciences sociales à la construction et à la compréhension du bien-être social dans le monde et en Afrique
Abstract
New initiatives to measure the well-being of populations are proliferating around the world. In 2011, the OECD developed the Gross Domestic Happiness Index for its member countries. In 2016, the United Arab Emirates established a Ministry of Happiness. As an extension of these initiatives, the Development Research Center (DRC), with the support of the Global Development Network (GDN), which is implementing a program funded by the French Agency for Development (FAD), has launched a pilot research project for the period 2023-2025, which aims to develop a well-being index based on the deep aspirations of the Ivorian population. This symposium has been organised to discuss the results of this research and to draw lessons from similar or related work carried out elsewhere in the world, particularly in Africa.
Announcement
1st edition of the international colloquim of the Development Research Center (DRC) on well-being
Argument
New initiatives to measure the well-being of populations are proliferating around the world. Bhutan has introduced Gross National Happiness (GNH), an index that aims to replace Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is considered inadequate. In contrast to the pursuit of economic performance, it places the quality of human life and nature at the centre of development initiatives and government policy (Whitaker, 2018). In 2011, the OECD developed the Gross Domestic Happiness Index for its member countries. The following year, the United Nations established the International Day of Happiness with resolution 66/281 of 28 June 2012, and has since published an annual World Happiness Report. In 2016, the United Arab Emirates established a Ministry of Happiness. As an extension of these initiatives, the Development Research Center (DRC), with the support of the Global Development Network (GDN), which is implementing a program funded by the French Agency for Development (FAD), has launched a pilot research project for the period 2023-2025, which aims to develop a well-being index based on the deep aspirations of the Ivorian population. This symposium has been organised to discuss the results of this research and to draw lessons from similar or related work carried out elsewhere in the world, particularly in Africa.
As a scientific subject, well-being, often referred to as happiness, has only recently attracted the interest of researchers. Pawin (2013, 2014 and 2019) shows that the emergence of the first works on well-being dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century in Anglo-Saxon countries, but was established in the second half of the century, particularly in social psychology departments. In France, a change of perspective on well-being began in the 1960s. In all areas, well-being was seen as a collective and individual duty. One of the manifestations of this call to be happy was the emergence of a new genre in film production at the time. Many films 'proclaim the right to happiness and to the expression of intimate feelings, to reflection and selfreflection' (Pawin, 2013: 175). The OECD followed suit, launching the first economic research on happiness in the 1970s. The trend faded in the 1980s and 1990s, only to re-emerge at the beginning of the 21st century, spreading to many disciplines (Pawin, 2019).
Many questions have arisen in the social sciences about well-being. One of them is the approach of the economics of happiness, which is based on sociology and psychology. It is concerned with identifying the parameters and circumstances under which people become happy. One of these is the economics of happiness, an approach developed from sociology and psychology. It seeks to identify the parameters and circumstances under which people become happy. The economics of happiness adheres to utilitarian theory and holds that 'the greatest possible happiness for the greatest possible number of people is, in principle, achievable' (Veenhoven, 1997: 66).
Another question concerns the meaning of happiness itself and the identity of happy people. It seems that happiness is not unique but plural. In a study, Feurbaey and Gaullier (2006) identified three models of well-being in wealthy countries using an indicator they developed based on the economic theory of well-being: An 'Anglo-Saxon model' comprising countries with high levels of inequality, long working hours, low unemployment rates and high environmental costs (USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand); a 'Latin model' with high unemployment costs, high leisure time and high health expectancy (France, Italy and Spain); then a 'Nordic model' shared by countries characterised by egalitarianism, low unemployment risk, a more capital-intensive economy, high leisure time and satisfactory environmental performance (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Iceland).
A third issue, which does not exclude the previous one, concerns the direct measurement of well-being. It leads to the construction of indices and to the measurement and production of maps or rankings based on sample surveys and secondary data from various organizations. For example, the social psychologist Adrian White was able to create the first world happiness map based on five criteria: health, wealth, education, national identity and scenic beauty, by studying data published by UNESCO, the CIA, the New Economics Foundation, the WHO, Veenhoven's World Database of Happiness (WDH), Latinbarometer, Afrobarometer and the UNHDR (White, 2007). Similarly, Veenhoven has developed indicators based on a database he has been building for several years, which he uses to create global happiness maps through surveys. His approach allows him to observe that 'happy countries are those that are rich, with competitive economies, [...] democratic, well governed [...] where gender equality and tolerance prevail, where people are free to seek the way of life that suits them best' (Veenhoven, quoted by GuibetLafaye, 2012: 12). The indicators on which it is based, far from being reduced to economic aggregates, are both subjective and objective; subjective because it is up to the individual surveyed to say whether he or she is happy or not, and objective because the subjective answer given by the individual is aggregated with individual and country data.
However, existing research and the typologies and rankings of happiness that have been produced show that they take little account of the specific characteristics of Africa. For example, in Africa, social ties (family, having a child, getting married, etc.) can be a strong indicator of happiness, unlike in other societies where the individualistic model is the norm. What's more, the typologies drawn up tend to focus on the countries of the North, and the rankings place the countries of the South at the bottom of the scale. Economic and cultural models therefore seem to have a strong influence on the definition and perception of well-being. A closer look at the specific characteristics of the countries of the South would help to reduce these imbalances by bringing to light research based on innovative indicators of well-being that are congruent with the social, cultural and economic realities of Southern territories. Hence the importance of organising a conference on well-being in Africa.
The papers to be presented at this international colloquium will reflect these different social science approaches and will be structured around the following five areas:
Area 1: Measuring well-being
There are several sophisticated indices (Royannez, 2020). The trend, in contrast to GDP, is to include indicators that measure non-economic dimensions of life or take into account subjective aspects of life (Stilglitz, Sen, Fitoussi, 2009). Examples include Gross National Happiness (GNH), the World Happiness Index (WHI), Gross Domestic Happiness (GDP), etc. The aim of this symposium is to analyse the historical background of the emergence of well-being indices that include the social dimension of the phenomenon, developed at international, regional and local levels, the relevance of their indicators, and then to assess their performance at community, national and global levels. This is an opportunity for the nations, institutions and experts who have innovated in this field to share their experiences with the scientific community interested in this conference and to assess the progress made with the indices developed to distinguish themselves from GDP. Papers may focus on comparative analyses of well-being in different countries, regions or continents, including Africa, based on data collected using the new methods for measuring well-being.
Area 2: Self-assessment of well-being
Salomé Berthon et al (2009: 2), in their ethnology of Happy People, look at the 'elementary forms of happiness', examining the way in which 'happiness takes shape under the influence of individuals who construct it, redefine it and thus give it existence through their own perception of being happy and making people happy'. They show that far from having a single interpretation, happiness is constructed by those who experience it. They show, for example, that happiness is associated with specific representations, including holidays (Perier, 2009) and rurality (Isnard, 2009).
Contributions in this area, based on empirical research, should highlight the diversity of individual and collective conceptions of well-being. The aim is to gather detailed analyses of the representations and individual or collective experiences of actors operating in a variety of social, cultural and geographical contexts. The focus should be on how the individual or group feels, their definition of happiness, their criteria for well-being, their assessment of their level of well-being, their satisfaction and their aspirations.
Area 3: Words for well-being
For the researcher himself, well-being is not easily translated into terms that can be understood by the people he is talking to, and similar concepts can lead to different interpretations. This difficulty, highlighted by the first social science research on well-being (Campbell, Converse, Codgers, 1976) - happiness/satisfaction; happy/satisfied - deserves attention. The aim here is to identify and discuss the terminologies used in the instruments used to collect data on well-being from the general public, and to analyse the attitudes and reactions of respondents. From another perspective, this area also looks at popular or cultural conceptions of well-being, in particular ethnocultural translations and interpretations of the concept of well-being and how these definitions affect individual and collective experiences.
Area 4: Well-being in the spheres
Based on their research, Beaudelot and Gollac (2003) have developed a theoretical framework for well-being at work, which remains very inspiring for the analysis of well-being in other areas of life. This theme will include papers based on empirical research that provide detailed analyses of well-being as an element likely to have an impact on social relations and the relationship with oneself in different spheres of life, such as work, family, school, hospital, place of worship, market, etc.
Area 5: Well-being and disciplinary angles or fields spécifique
Papers in this section may choose to approach well-being from the perspective of a single disciplinary field or a specific area. This could be psychological well-being, economic wellbeing, education and well-being, well-being and health, agriculture and well-being, well-being and human rights, gender and well-being, spiritual well-being, well-being and the digital environment, etc. Papers should be based on empirical research.
Abstract format
- Authors' details: first and last name of authors, affiliation, email address of corresponding author.
- Focus: indicate the area of the paper is focused on
- Font: Time New Roman; size: 12 pts; line spacing: single
- Word count: maximum 400 words
- File type: .doc
- Languages: French and English
- Structure: an introduction stating the problem and the aim of the paper; a methodology stating the research techniques, methods and the material on which the paper is based, in particular for fieldwork; results for fieldwork; and a conclusion.
To be sent to and for further information about this conference to: colloquecrdbienetre@gmail.com
Schedule
- Publication of the Call for Papers: December 1st 2024
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Submission deadline: January 31st 2025
- Notification to authors: February 28th 2025
- Receipt of full texts and presentations: April 30th 2025
- Conference dates: May 27-30th 2025
Conference venue: University Alassane Ouattara
Attending mode
In-person
Registration fees
Attendees from Africa
- Researchers and lecturers 50 000 FCFA
- Students 25 000 FCFA
- Institutional actors (NGOs, international organisations) 100 000 FCFA
Attendees from outside Africa
- Researchers and lecturers 300 Euros
- Students 150 Euros
- Institutional actors (NGOs, international organisations) 400 Euros
Scientific Committee
Chairman
- Hugues Lagrange, Sociology, National Centre for Scientific Research, France.
Members
- Abdou Salam Fall, Sociology, Research Laboratory on Economic and Social Transformations, Université Cheikh Anta Diop De Dakar, Senegal.
- Abdourhamane Coulibaly, Anthropology, Department of Teaching and Research in Public Health and Specialities (DERSP), University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali.
- Alfred Babo, Sociology, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, FairField University, CT USA.
- Békoin Raphaël Tanoh, History, Alassane Ouattara University, Department of History, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Brahima Coulibaly, Socio-anthropology, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Dimi Théodore Doudou, Sociology, Socio-anthropology of health, Health, Societies and Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Edgard Cabanas, Psychology, Max Planck Institute, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain.
- Johanna Choumert-Nkolo, Economy, Centre for Study and Research on International Development, France.
- Jessie Luna, Sociology, Colorado State University, USA.
- John Helliwell, Economy, University of British Colombia, Canada.
- Kassoum Traoré, Sociology, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University, Korhogo.
- Konan Jérôme Kouakou, Sociology, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Kouadio Edouard Kouassi, Sociology, Agroeconomics and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake Côte d'Ivoire.
- Kouadio Raphaël Oura, Geography, Population, Gender and Development Laboratory, Development Research Centre, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Kouassi Kan Adolphe Kouadio, Sociology, Political Research, Decentralisation and Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Kpaka Sabine Diobo-Doudou, Geography, Geography Department, Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Gérard Landry Konan Kra, Sociology, Population, Gender and Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Laye Gueye, Socio-anthropology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
- Martine Audibert, Economy, Centre for Study and Research on International Development, France.
- Meless Siméon Akmel, Sociology, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Nathalie Jas, History and Sociology, National Institute for Agricultural Research, France.
- Pélagie Théoua, Public Law, Centre for Research and Study on Public Law and Finance, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Rémy Pawin, History, University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France.
- Roch Appolinaire Houngnihin, Anthropology, Applied Anthropology Laboratory, University of Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
- Valentin Kra, Sociology, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, University Alassane Ouattara, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Yao Esther Doris Kra, Psychology, Health, Societies and Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
- Zié Adama Ouattara, Socio-anthropology of health, Health, Societies and Development Laboratory, Development Research Center, Alassane Ouattara University, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
Organization Committee
Chairman
- Dimi Théodore Doudou
Co-chairs
- Konan Jérôme Kouakou
- Zié Adama Ouattara
- Kpaka Sabine Diobo-Doudou
- Amenan Kan Delphine N’guessan-Bredou
Members
Adam Camille Kouamé, Adjoua Blanche Kouadio, Adjoua Jeanne d’Arc Kouablan, Adjoua Pamela N’guessan, Adjoua Rachelle Kouadio, Affoua Toutouwa Marie Adou, Aimé Charles Kouadio, Alain Tohouri, Adou Serge Judicaël Anoua, Ardjouma Tuo, Armand Maxim Kipré , Arouna Aminou, Atchory Romulad Eliasson Mel, Bini Kouabenan Arnaud Adou, Brahima Coulibaly, Brou Ghislain Kouadio, Brou Michel Hermann Dally, Cécilia Domingo Espérance Koffi, Christian-Landry Ossey, Dotchan Bamba, Donoupkoro Tuo, Edouard Kra, Emmanuel N’guessan Diobo, Elodie Amalaman, Esther Doris Kra Yao, Fanny Navouon, Ganlé Adélaïde Gouzoua, Gérard Landry Konan Kra, Gomongo Nargawélé Silué, Guy Roger Yoboué, Jean-Marie Nicaise Gbahoui, Gnagoran Kouakou Daniel N’guessan, Jean Lopez Esséhi, Joël Anicet Wognin, Judith Epse Méité Djoman, Kan Félix Yao, Koffi Dermane Kouakou, Koffi Moïse Kouassi, Koffi Richmond Yao, Konan Samuel Kouassi, Kouadio Lorraine Nadia, Kouadio Edouard Kouassi, Kouadio Raphaël Oura, Kouadio Natanaël Koffi, Kouakou Blaise Konan, Kouakou Hermann Michel Kanga, Kouakou Marius Koffi, Kouamé Antoine Kra, Kouamé Aristide Brou, Kouamé Arnaud Diby, Kouassi Adjoumani Gboko, Kouassi-Kan Adolphe Kouadio, Kouassi Jean-Yves Kouadio, Kpassigué Gilbert Koné, Kouakou Luc N’gotta, M’bra K. Dieu-Donné Kouadio, Marc Attoh, Messoun Alain Essoi, Meougbé Ernest Depieu, Mohamed Sow, N’dri Célestin Koffi, N’dri Rémi Kouakou, N’golo Ouattara, Natogoma Ouattara, Orphée Arlette Kanga-Kouakou, Raoul Agbavon, Salifou Yéo, Simon Agnéro Adou, Tchédé Boris Kpalé, Teya Kouamé, Tidiane Kassoum Koulibaly, Thomas Sékongo, Trémagan Konaté, Wa Djé Ange Etien, Walter Kra.
Indicative Bibliography
ANSART Pierre, 1967, « Jean Cazeneuve, Bonheur et civilisation », L'Homme et la société, n°3 pp. 207-208.
ARISTOTE, 1990, Ethique à Nicomaque, Paris, Vrin.
BERTHON Salomé et al., 2009, « Du bonheur à l’être heureux », Salomé Berthon et al. (dir.), Ethnologie des gens heureux, Paris, Maison des sciences de l’homme, pp 1-21.
BRULE Gaël, 2018, Le bonheur n’est pas là où vous le pensez – Itinéraire vers une vie plus heureuse, Paris, Dunod.
BRULE Gaël, 2021, « Le bonheur a-t-il sa place dans la sociologie ? », Grand manuel de psychologie positive, pp. 167-180.
FEURBAEY Marc et GAULLIER Guillaume, 2006, « Trois modèles de bien-être », Site Telos, [En ligne], Url : https://www.telos-eu.com/fr/politique-francaise-et-internationale/troismodeles-de-bien-etre.html, Consulté le 10 mai 2023.
GUIBET-LAFAYE Caroline, 2009, Le bonheur : une question sociale ? Penser le bonheur aujourd’hui, Louvain-la-Neuve, Presses universitaires de Louvain, [En ligne], Url : http://books.openedition.org/pucl/1037, Consulté le 28 avril 2023.
ILLOUZ Eva et CABANAS Edgar, 2018, Happycratie. Comment l’industrie du bonheur a pris le contrôle de nos vies, Premier Parallèle.
INGLEHART Ronald et al., 2008, « Development, Freedom, and Rising Happiness. A Global Perspective (1981-2007) » Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol 3, n°4, pp. 264-285.
ISNART Ciryl, 2009, « Petits arrangements avec le bonheur : Contraintes et idéaux de la vie rurale contemporaine », Salomé Berthon et al. (dir.), Ethnologie des gens heureux, Paris, Maison des sciences de l’homme, pp.37-48.
LAGRANGE Hugues, 2020, Les maladies du bonheur, Paris, PUF.
LANGLOIS Simon, 2014, « Bonheur, bien-être subjectif et sentiment de justice au Québec », L’année sociologique, vol. 64, n°2, pp. 389-420.
LE-MERRER Pascal et FRAISSE-D'OLIMPIO Stéphanie, « Peut-on mesurer le bonheur ? Réflexions sur les indicateurs de bien-être », Ressources en Sciences économiques et sociales, [En ligne], Url : https://ses.ens-lyon.fr/articles/peut-on-mesurer-le-bonheur-reflexions-sur-lesindicateurs-de-bien-etre-47517, consulté le 2 mai 2023.
MENARD Julie, 2008, « Authenticité et bien-être au travail, étude auprès de gestionnaires ». Thèse de doctorat en travail et organisation, Université de Montréal.
PAWIN Rémy, 2013, Histoire du bonheur en France depuis 1945, Paris, Robert Laffont.
PAWIN Rémy, 2014, « Le bien-être dans les sciences sociales : naissance et développement d’un champ de recherches », L’Année sociologique, vol 64, n°2, pp. 273-294.
PAWIN Rémy, 2019, Le bonheur, objet d’histoire, Entretien avec Séverine Colinet, [En ligne],
Url : https://www.cafepedagogique.net/2019/05/31/remy-pawin-le-bonheur-objet-d-histoire/, Consulté l6 mai, 2023
PERIER Pierre, 2009, « Une forme élémentaire du bonheur : les vacances », Salomé Berthon et al. (dir.), Ethnologie des gens heureux, Paris, Maison des sciences de l’homme, pp.49-57.
ROYANNEZ Gil-Ian, « Compréhension et prise en compte de la notion de bonheur, quel impact dans la réflexion économique ? », K@iros [En ligne], n°1, Utl : https://revuesmsh.uca.fr/kairos/index.php?id=329, Consulté le 2 mai 2023.
SPIES Virginie, 2008, Télévision, presse people : les marchands de bonheur, Louvain-laNeuve, De Boeck.
STIGLITZ Joseph, SEN Amartya et FITOUSSI Jean-Paul, 2009, Rapport de la Commission sur la mesure des performances économiques et du progrès social.
VEENHOVEN Ruut, 1997, « Progrès dans la compréhension du bonheur », Revue québécoise de psychologie, vol 18, n°2, pp. 29-73.
VEENHOVEN Ruut, 2016, « Le bonheur : angle mort de la sociologie », Sciences & Bonheur, n°1, pp. 32-42.
WHITAKER Célina, 2018, Que nous apprend le « Bonheur National brut ?
WHITE Adrian, 2007. « A global projection of subjective well-being: A challenge to positive psychology », Psychtalk, vol. 56.
WINTREBERT, Raphaël, 2007, « Mesurer le bonheur : des indicateurs pertinents pour la France ? », Fondation pour l’innovation politique. Document de travail.
Places
- Campus 1 - 01 BP V 18 Bouaké 01
Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
Event attendance modalities
Full on-site event
Attached files
Keywords
- bien-être social, compréhension, construction, Afrique, Bouaké
Contact(s)
- Dimi Théodore Doudou
courriel : ddimi_faith [at] yahoo [dot] fr
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Rethinking well-being: the contribution of the social sciences to the construction and understanding of social well-being in the world and in Africa », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Monday, December 16, 2024, https://doi.org/10.58079/12xjy
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