Meet Lillian Too at "Happiness and Its Causes" conference

Date: 20 - 21 November 2008
Venue: Suntec Singapore, Internation Convention & Exhibition Centre
Official Website: http://www.happinessanditscauses.com.sg/

An exploration of human happiness . . . now here in Asia!

Have you noticed that everyone is talking about happiness? How to improve the happiness and overall quality of life is today’s no.1 issue. This is amidst a society in which relationship breakdowns, the use of antidepressants, mental health problems and other symptoms of unhappiness are all trending up.

The 1st Annual Happiness & Its Causes Asia will be a meeting place for hundreds of delegates from industry, government, professional services and those seeking practical techniques to enhance happiness at home and in the workplace.

This ground-breaking international conference on the tools & techniques for a happier life features over 20 leading speakers from fields such as science, psychology, philosophy, economics and religion. As such, it does not seek to promote one particular view, but provides you with a concise and stimulating insight into the best of modern and ancient wisdom.

Take a look at the full conference programme
» Thursday 20 November 2008
» Friday 21 November 2008

2008 speakers include:


Lillian Too, Best-Selling Author, Malaysia	Professor David Matsumoto, San Francisco State University, USA World authority on recognition of emotions	Matthieu Ricard, France “The world's happiest man” Best-Selling Author: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill	Dr Craig Hassed, Monash University, Australia Pioneer of world-first wellbeing program for medical students	Arun Abey, ipac Securities Group, Singapore & Australia Leading financial planner and Author How Much Is Enough?	Petrea King, Quest for Life Foundation, Australia Cancer survivor and well-being pioneer, Author: Your Life Matters

» For a full list of speakers click here.

A conference of highlights


Matthieu Ricard at Happiness Sydney 2008	Over 3000+ people attended the 2007 event in Sydney

Fascinating discussion on learning to be happy with Matthieu Ricard, dubbed by research scientists as "the happiest man in the world", world authority on recognition of emotions Dr David Matsumoto, initiator of world-first wellbeing program for medical students, Dr Craig Hassed and local Singaporean positive psychology expert, Dr Titus Foo.
11 overseas speakers including Australian cancer survivor and well-being pioneer, Petrea King, international best-selling author, Lillian Too, mindfulness and psychotherapy expert Dr Belinda Khong and Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and relationships counsellor Dr Ross Menzies.
Leading international financial planner Arun Abey, Author: How Much Is Enough? and businesswoman and publisher Bernadette Bolger present and lead a workshop on the link between money and happiness.
A special focus on happiness amongst children and young people with child psychiatrist Dr Daniel Fung and some of Singapore’s young people working for a better society.
Participation by some of Singapore’s leading experts on mental health in the workplace including Dr Chua Hong Choo, Clare Yeo and Dr Patricia Yap from the Institute of Mental Health.

Programme - Thursday 20 November 2008

9am	Welcome
9.05am	Opening remarks from the Chairperson Lillian Too, International Best-Selling Author, Malaysia

THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS

9.15am	The ESSENCE of Health & Happiness What does the medical research show are the essential ingredients for health, wellbeing and happiness? Can we educate ourselves to make choices that lead to healthier & happier lives? How can we manage stress in today’s busy, modern world? Is finding meaning in life essential for happiness? The mind/body connection – the role of nutrition & exercise The importance of connection to others in relationships, families, communities and the wider society How can we improve our environment to be more conducive to health and happiness? Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia
9.45am	Happiness: developing life’s most important skill Is happiness the purpose of life? Is true, lasting happiness possible? Happiness and altruism: does happiness make us kind or does being kind make us happy? Towards a science of happiness Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France
10.15am	Happier: using the new science of positive psychology to realise your potential for lasting fulfillment Can you make yourself lastingly happier? Can we learn to be optimistic? Discover and renew your signature strengths and virtues The new science of Positive Psychology Dr Titus Foo, Consultant Psychologist/CBT Psychotherapist, Positive Psychology Centre, Singapore; Lecturer, James Cook University, Singapore
10.45am	Morning Coffee
11.15am	The art and science of skillfully reading and understanding emotions in yourself and others Recognising emotion in others – a cross-cultural perspective What do our faces reveal about our emotional states? Is happiness different across cultures? Twelve different happy emotions Is it possible to recognize emotions, truth and lies from facial expressions and body language? What does the research say? What are the implications for areas such as business, law enforcement, health care and national security? Dr David Matsumoto, Professor of Psychology, Director Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory, San Francisco State University, USA; Director and CEO, The Ekman Group – Research Division; Author: Culture & Psychology
11.45am	Panel: Learning to be happy There is now general consensus that the brain can be changed by actively developing new ways of thinking.This is an exciting conjunction of Western neuroscience, psychology and Eastern philosophy. How can science help us in the quest for happiness? Nature or nurture – how far can we go in changing our brain to be happier? Can the mind be trained to enhance the positive and diminish the negative? What evidence exists that mind training works? Is there any consensus on the techniques that are most effective? Is the search for happiness self-indulgent? Case studies on the power of action and thought to increase well-being Panellists Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France Dr David Matsumoto, Professor of Psychology, Director Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory, San Francisco State University, USA; Director and CEO, The Ekman Group – Research Division; Author: Culture & Psychology Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia Dr Titus Foo, Consultant Psychologist/CBT Psychotherapist, Positive Psychology Centre, Singapore; Lecturer, James Cook University, Singapore
12.30pm	Lunch break
FLOURISHING, AGEING & HAPPINESS

2pm	The mind/body connection – living a longer, healthier and happier life What makes some people seem so youthful? How can I maximize my nutrition for a healthier, happier life? Regaining well-being and vigor after illness Managing chronic illness and pain – can my mind help my body heal? The mind/body connection – using the mind to boost the immune system. Petrea King, Founding Director, Quest for Life Foundation, Australia, Author: Your Life Matters
2.30pm	Flourishing and positive ageing How can we be happier in later life? What factors influence a successful transition into retirement? Developing practical tools to increase wellbeing for the elderly Facing the challenges of an ageing population – an holistic approach Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President, Tsao Foundation
3pm	Afternoon coffee
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING, RESILIENCE & HAPPINESS

3.30pm	Emotional resilience and subjective wellbeing – the Asian context Can we learn to respond better to stress? What does positive psychology have to say about coping in difficult situations? The importance of cultural conditioning in developing resilience models Individual and collective resilience – the Asian context How health professionals coped with the SARS epidemic Resilience in the individual and the family Associate Professor Weining Chang, Head of the Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University
3.55pm	Dealing with unhappiness and difficult emotions When does unhappiness become a medical problem? When do I need to seek help? “Talking therapies” – the best prescription for depression and anxiety? Antidepressants – friend or foe? What are the most successful strategies for coping with mild depression and general unhappiness at home and in the workplace? Dr Chua Hong Choon, Consultant and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital; President, Singapore Psychiatric Association
4.20pm	Panel: Strategies for dealing with life’s challenges Why do some people deal with tragedy better than others? How can we bounce back from life’s knocks? Is it possible to be happy when seriously ill? What makes some people flourish in later life? How important is our family and community in helping us deal with problems? Cultivating happiness and wellbeing in difficult times Moderator: Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia Panellists: Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President, Tsao Foundation Petrea King, Founding Director, Quest for Life Foundation, Australia, Author: Your Life Matters Associate Professor Weining Chang, Head of the Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University Dr Chua Hong Choon, Consultant and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital; President, Singapore Psychiatric Association
Close of Day 1

Programme - Friday 21 November 2008

9am	Opening remarks from the Chairperson Dr Craig Hassed, Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Australia

PRACTICAL TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

9.10am	Mindfulness – a practical tool for a happier life What is “mindfulness” and why has it attracted so much interest in science and psychology? The inter-relationship between mindfulness and psychotherapy Managing stress in the workplace and at home Leading a happier life through mindfulness Dr Belinda Khong, Consulting Psychologist and Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
9.40am	Feeling happy: a guide to living a happier life using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) What are the tools of CBT? How successful is CBT in enhancing positive thinking? What evidence is there that CBT helps in managing negative moods? How can I use CBT to be more effective and happier at work? Can I use CBT to improve my relationships with friends, family and colleagues? Dr Ross Menzies, Associate Professor of Psychology and Head, Anxiety Disorders Clinic The University of Sydney, Australia, International expert trainer in CBT, National University of Singapore

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE – HAPPINESS IN DAY TO DAY LIFE

10.10am	Personal Story: Barista Express Café – a social enterprise Barista Express Café was set up by social enterprise company Dignity Links to help people recovering from a mental illness find jobs. Director (Operations), Kala Karkal, will talk about the enterprise and what it has meant to patients and family members. Kala Karkal, Director (Operations), Dignity Links and Barista Express Café
10.25am	Morning coffee
10.55am	Personal Story: Off Centre – a play exploring mental illness Acclaimed Singaporean playwright, Haresh Sharma, talks about The Necessary Stage’s production Off Centre which deals with mental illness. The production process involved research with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and patients. The play brings mental illness and the plight of its sufferers to the attention of the general public and deals with marginalisation, stigma, friendship, societal and familial pressures. Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright, The Necessary Stage
11.10am	Panel: positive actions for creating a happier society Can we promote kindness and hope in communities? Is it possible for me to really make a positive difference in the lives of others? Forgiveness and letting go through mindfulnes In what way can neighbours encourage and help those who care for others on a full-time basis? Who are the everyday heroes in our communities? Panellists Kala Karkal, Director (Operations), Dignity Links and Barista Express Café Haresh Sharma, Resident Playwright, The Necessary Stage Dr Belinda Khong, Consulting Psychologist and Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia Matthieu Ricard, Best-Selling Author: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, France

HAPPINESS, MONEY & WORK

11.50am	How much is enough? Why are lottery winners no happier than the rest of us? Why are the world’s two richest people giving away their fortunes? Are we choosing what makes us happy? What is the link between money and happiness? Teaching children about money Arun Abey, Executive Chairman, ipac Securities Group, Singapore & Australia, Author: How Much Is Enough? Bernadette Bolger, General Manager, A & B Publishers; Managing Director, Vitality Plus Pharmacies, Australia
12.15pm	Do I laugh or cry? – managing stress and distress at work Is stress a natural and necessary part of the workplace? How do I recognise and manage early signs of distress and not coping in the workplace – in myself and others? Dealing with the spectrum of emotions in the workplace Caring for the carers – how to manage emotional burnout Clare Yeo, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Consultant, Corporate Consulting Services, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
12.40pm	Lunch
2pm	Panel: happiness, career success and work/life balance Is career success an essential ingredient for a happy life? Is work always a source of happiness? When does it become a source of suffering? Is it possible to have a successful career and still have time for family, friends and relaxation? How can we maintain a healthy work/life balance given the demands of the modern workplace? Panellists Lillian Too, International Best-Selling Author, Malaysia Tara Melwani, Director, Jay Gee Enterprises Lynette Yeo Balota, Executive Director, Singapore Association of Social Workers Arun Abey, Executive Chairman,ipac Securities Group, Singapore & Australia, Author: How Much Is Enough? Clare Yeo, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Consultant, Corporate Consulting Services, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore

HAPPINESS & YOUNG PEOPLE

2.40pm	Bringing Up Happy Children Every parent wants a "happy childhood" for their children. What best supports this? What will most effectively help children to flourish, whatever their temperament? How can children understand and survive sadness, anger and other challenging emotions? How do parents' values and expectations affect their children's emotional wellbeing? Dr Daniel Fung, Consultant Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Clinic and Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
3pm	Afternoon coffee
3.30pm	Panel: happiness=youth? In this session we will hear the voices of inspirational young leaders in the community and of those working closely with young people. Are today’s teenagers more vulnerable? Is being a happy hedonist enough? Is there a loss of meaning in life for young people? Developing relationships and connectedness in the new information age How to maintain hope in the face of global challenges Young people’s values in the search for happiness Panellists: Bernise Ang, Founder, Syinc Melissa Kwee, Chairperson, Halogen Foundation Singapore, awarded Singapore Youth Award 2007 Farid Hamid, Principal Trainer, Ithaca, Academic Associate, Republic Polytechnic Dr Daniel Fung, Consultant Psychiatrist, Child Guidance Clinic and Institute of Mental Health, Singapore

HAPPINESS & RELATIONSHIPS

4.05pm	And they all lived happily ever after (... is romantic love the key to happiness?) What are the successful ingredients of happy relationships? What if my needs are different to my partners needs? What are the warning signs of relationship mismatch? Balancing work, family and intimate relationships Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Principal Consultant, Emerge, Singapore
4.25pm	Relationships as the key to happiness and wellbeing How can I build happier and healthier relationships – at work and play? What are your relationships for? Are virtual relationships affecting our connectedness? Making lifestyle choices to nurture your relationships The bigger picture – nurturing national and international relationships as the basis for achieving happiness, peace and social harmony. Panellists: Dr Ross Menzies, Associate Professor of Psychology and Head, Anxiety Disorders Clinic, The University of Sydney, Australia, International expert trainer in CBT, National University of Singapore Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Principal Consultant, Emerge, Singapore Dr Jonathan Marshall, Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore Sulynn Choong, Founder and CEO, Asian Center for Applied Positive Psychology
5pm	Close Day 2

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