100 Seconds: Poverty and Happiness
In NADEL's latest "100 Seconds" video, Medinat Malefakis reflects on the relationship between poverty and happiness, sharing insights from her "recent trip to Africa".
While societal connections and closeness to nature are often cited as sources of happiness in poor communities, this narrative can risk justifying global inequality and injustice.
Data from the 2023 World Happiness Report challenges the notion that poverty equals happiness. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Liberia—ranked among the world’s poorest countries—are also listed among the saddest. Extreme poverty, where basic needs like food, shelter, and clean water are unmet, affects over 700 million people worldwide. This type of poverty rarely fosters happiness. While money may not buy joy, the essentials of life come at a cost.
Take 100 seconds to explore this critical issue with Medinat and rethink the relationship between poverty and happiness: what does true well-being require?
