Level Up
The pursuit of a life that can be rated as an eight for everyone on this planet is not just the responsibility of organizations and governments. Ultimately, building a better world starts with ourselves. Only when we are happy do we have the ability to help others find happiness. Happy individuals create happy communities and happy communities build happy nations. Happy nations, in turn, have the responsibility to raise the entire world to an 8.
So everyboy can join Straight to Eight!
Individual level
To increase happiness for yourself and others, it’s essential to start with self-care. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being—through proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, and relaxation—gives you the energy and positivity needed to support others. Developing a positive mindset is key; focus on gratitude and turning negative thoughts into constructive ones to foster optimism, which influences those around you.
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Mindfulness, or living in the moment, helps reduce stress and enhances daily satisfaction, making you more patient and attentive towards others. Building strong relationships is equally important. Invest time in family, friends and colleagues by listening, spending time together and showing empathy, which creates meaningful and happy connections.
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Helping others, even through small acts of kindness, can brighten someone’s day while also boosting your own sense of fulfillment. Personal growth through learning new things can give you a sense of achievement and inspire those around you to pursue self-improvement.
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Finally, setting achievable goals helps build self-confidence and happiness. When you’re making progress in your own life, you’re better equipped to encourage and support others in reaching their goals. Altogether, these steps not only improve your life but also create a ripple effect of positivity that benefits the people around you.
Regional level
At the regional level, individuals, businesses, governments and schools can make a significant impact by initiating activities that help improve the lives of those in need. One effective approach is to establish community projects such as food banks, social support centers, and local markets where people can come together to support each other. Businesses can offer internships or training programs to job seekers, enabling them to learn new skills and increase their chances of employment.
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Schools play a vital role as well. They can provide education on health, sustainability and social responsibility. Schools can also collaborate with local businesses to offer practical training and mentoring programs for students.
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Local and regional governments can contribute by promoting affordable housing and creating green spaces that foster a healthy and accessible environment. These spaces not only improve the well-being of residents but also enhance social cohesion.
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Businesses can further invest in sustainable solutions, such as adopting renewable energy sources and supporting community initiatives for energy efficiency. Collaboration between various local actors can strengthen and empower communities, giving everyone the opportunity to lead a better life. In this way, even at the regional level, we can take meaningful steps to improve the world for all.
National level
At the national level, governments, businesses, and organizations can take even bigger steps to improve the lives of their citizens and contribute to a more sustainable and just society. One of the government’s most important roles is to create policies that reduce social inequality and promote equal opportunities. This can be achieved through education initiatives that are accessible to everyone, investments in healthcare and the promotion of employment in sustainable sectors.
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Nationally operating businesses can take on their social responsibility by producing sustainably, trading fairly, and ensuring good working conditions. Additionally, they can invest in innovation and research into sustainable technologies, such as renewable energy sources and circular business models, to reduce their ecological footprint.
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Organizations, both non-profit and commercial, can launch national campaigns to raise awareness about important issues such as climate change, health, and social justice. They can also collaborate with local communities to support long-term, scalable projects that have a direct impact on the population, such as improving infrastructure, education programs and health services.
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National cooperation between the public and private sectors, supported by sound policy and strategic investments, can lead to a better future for everyone. By stimulating these initiatives, a country can enhance the prosperity, sustainability and well-being of its citizens while contributing to global progress.
International level
The People's Partnership forms the hart of the Liemers List and introduces an innovative approach to international cooperation, aimed at replacing the current, fragmented and often less effective ways of development aid.
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The concept behind the People's Partnership is simple but powerful: two countries are connected to work together to improve each other's society. These countries are treated as equal partners and take joint steps to ensure that both populations can live a decent life.
A percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is contributed to the partnership and resources are deployed to, for example, improve healthcare, create jobs, or address other local challenges. What makes this partnership unique is its emphasis on equality. Individuals, organizations and governments from both countries work intensively together, share ideas, organize cultural exchanges and get to know each other, until a real bond is created based on solidarity and mutual respect. The goal is a sustainable, deep-rooted cooperation in which both countries grow.
The financial side of the partnership is managed by the United Nations, with built-in safeguards against corruption and mechanisms to prevent either partner from becoming dependent on the other. This creates a fair, transparent and effective collaboration model that strives for a better future for everyone.