Greetings from the Organizing Committee of ASIA Future Forum.

The 7th ASIA Future Forum hosted by the Hankyoreh Media Group is a venue to foster cooperation within Asia to seek balance between prosperity and sustainability of the world.

This year, we have chosen "Beyond GDP: The Pursuit of Happiness for All" as the upcoming forum's theme. As the global economy is experiencing an unprecedented low growth rate and uncertainty, there have been criticisms against the currently dominating growth paradigm in many countries. GDP is no longer a satisfactory measure of growth. A number of studies have shown that the increase in the total sum of production or income does not necessarily boost your level of happiness.

Humans do not feel happiness simply by fulfilling their desires. Every satisfied desire gives rise to a new one. Through the misfortune and pain of others, you might be able to fulfill your desires, but this does not necessarily mean you are a happy person. We all know we will feel happier if we spend time and share things with others instead of endlessly competing with them to be better off. That is the reason we decided to consider "the pursuit of happiness for all" as our core value of this year's Asia Future Forum. Since 2010, when the Asia Future Forum was held for the first time with a theme "Evolution of East Asian Enterprise," we have been doing our best to tackle timely topics and articulate alternative discourses. In the 7th edition of the Asia Future Forum, we are going to make a multiperspective approach to happiness and quality of life. We are also planning to reflect on what kind of happiness a country, a local government, and a community shall pursue as well as what kind of system and policy we would need. Please join us to share your precious ideas in the pursuit of happiness for all.