Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership: annual engagement report

Foreword

It is with great pleasure that the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) partnership publish our first Annual Engagement Report.

By its very nature, WEGo fosters collaboration. The sharing of challenges and best practice provides opportunities to gather unique perspectives, and often spark inspiration.

We therefore believe in the importance of both external insight and continuous improvement. Whilst strengthening the reach of the network, this report will also allow for internal reflection, which will shape the future direction of the group.

In addition to the activities outlined in this report, this year we have taken steps towards a more robust basis for WEGo. We now have a Memorandum of Understanding, consisting of a Terms of Reference and an Engagement Strategy. We will use this to drive accountability and build on the momentum that we have generated.

A personal highlight of the last year was the Wellbeing Economy Forum in Reykjavík, Iceland. The conference programme offered a multitude of fascinating sessions, including a WEGo slot on the challenges of implementation. The Forum, in its second year, brough further institutional contributions from OECD, World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe and UNESCO. It also provided an opportunity to meet WEGo colleagues in person, allowing for a positive and productive discussion.

I am grateful, as ever, for both the continued enthusiasm shown towards the network, and for the insight and value that WEGo colleagues bring to our discussions, which help us all learn and develop our understanding of the wellbeing economy. In taking forward the Secretariat role on behalf of WEGo, it has been a pleasure to Chair the policy labs and see the growing connections, cohesion and sharing of policy applications and analysis.

Gary Gillespie, Chair of the WEGo Network and Chief Economist at the Scottish Government.