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Conference Details
Pre Conference Workshops:
Wednesday 13 May, 9am - 5pm

The Art & Science of Love or
The Mindful Brain

 
Conference Day One
Thursday 14th May,
8.30am - 5:30pm
  • The Pursuit of Happiness
  • Happiness & the Human Spirit
  • Science of Happiness
  • The Flip Side of Happiness
  • Dealing with Difficult Emotions

Conference Day Two
Friday 15th May,
8.30am - 5:30pm
  • Cultivating Happiness in Day to Day Life
  • Happiness & Relationships
  • Happiness & Young People
  • Happiness & Work
  • Happiness, Our Environment &  Lifestyle
  • Happiness & Creativity
 
Post Conference Workshops:
Saturday 16th May
 
Morning Workshops 9am - 12pm
Workshop 1: The Architecture of
Sustainable Happiness
Workshop 2: Your Creative Intelligence - how to develop your key to the future
Workshop 3: Living the Examined Life - the practice
Workshop 4: Building Resilience in
Families and Australian Communities
 

Afternoon Workshops 2pm - 5pm
Workshop 5: Ordinary Children,
Extraordinary Teachers - unlocking
the brilliant child within
every student
Workshop 6: The Joy of Meditation and the Altruistic Spirit of Awakening
Workshop 7: Practical Tools for
Positive Relationships that Transform You and the Organisation
Workshop 8: Happiness and
Creativity: the wake-up workshop

› Add this to my calendar
Register online now
or call +61 (2) 8719 5118
Look Back at 2008
 
"The conference has been awesome! Really exceeded expectations and I had pretty high expectations...I will take a lot of this inspiration home with me where I hope to apply it both professionally and personally."

Holly Vitale, Alzheimers Australia, VIC


"The conference was wonderful.  All the speakers were inspirational approaches were accessible and pragmatic confirming meditation and compassion for others does enhance our well-being."

Ann Dunn,
Counsellor, QLD Corrective Services

"Fantastic once again, after the third time! Thank you"

Paul Russell, Mental Health Services

To see more testimonials click here

2009 Sponsors
 
Professional Development Points

Members of some Endorsing Associations such as the Australian Counselling Association



The Australian Psychological Society

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)


 

are entitled to claim conference attendance as professional development points.
Learn more

Affiliates 2009
 

 
An initiative of

 

In association with

 

 
   
 

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE HAPPY

         

Endorsing Bodies 2009

  How to improve the happiness and overall quality of life is the big issue of our time. And it is not just an individual quest for happiness – now is a time of intense focus on how to improve the happiness of others in care, within families and in the workplace.

In its fourth amazing year, Happiness & Its Causes is an extraordinary conference bringing together 50+ speakers and an engaged audience of over 2,000 delegates for a thrilling exploration of the science, psychology and philosophy of human happiness.




Incredible highlights
of Happiness 09

* The world’s top psychologists: including acclaimed positive psychology researcher Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky, UCLA psychiatrist Dr Daniel Siegal and the celebrated author Dr Daniel Goleman in an exclusive pre-recorded session.

* The world’s leader in relationships research: relationships are the foundation of happiness, so we’re bringing to you the world authority on relationships, Dr John Gottman. Don’t miss his workshop, The Art & Science of Love.

* The cutting edge of science and medicine: extraordinary stories from the frontiers of brain science from the author of The Brain That Changes Itself, Dr Norman Doidge and the controversial British anti-depressants researcher Professor Irving Kirsch.

* The world’s leading creative thinker: Tony Buzan turns his creative genius to how to use creative techniques to lead a more fulfilled and purposeful life.

* Explore meaning and purpose: an eclectic gathering of philosophers and thinkers including Lama Surya Das and Australia’s Richard Neville.

* True stories: be inspired by award-winning educator Marva Collins and Australian humanitarian Geraldine Cox. Be motivated by international best-selling author Marci Shimoff. Be moved by the heart-wrenching story of Ingrid Poulson.


To view the full conference program




Can happiness be increased?
Scientific studies have shown that happiness is 50% genetically determined and 50% learned. Excitingly, a revolutionary new field of neuroscience, studying the plasticity of the human brain, has found that we can consciously raise our ‘happiness set point’. Positive psychology is now uncovering fascinating evidence that not only can we raise our happiness levels, we can do so on a lasting, sustainable basis.

Happiness & Its Causes presents a fascinating blend of cutting-edge science and ageless wisdom to give you the information that you need to assess the different approaches to happiness, apply the learning and make positive changes in your life.

Many have proclaimed attendance at Happiness & Its Causes a lifechanging experience. Join us in May 2009 for another thought-provoking, re-energising and uplifting journey!





Book now!
Bring your team!
There are big discounts group bookings. Bring your family, friends and work colleagues!


Gala Dinner
Thursday, 14th May, 2009 at 7.00pm
Dockside, The Balcony Level, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Enjoy a wonderful evening of fun and networking with conference delegates at the Gala Dinner. The evening will include a delicious three-course meal, music and dancing and inspirational dinner speaker, Geraldine Cox.

All profit will be in aid of Sunrise Children’s Village, Cambodia, founded by Geraldine Cox to provide shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care, hope for the future and, most importantly, love for the orphaned children in this war-torn country.

For more information about the Gala Dinner click here.

 
  OUR SPEAKERS  
 

Dr John Gottman, USA
DR JOHN GOTTMAN USA
World leader in relationships research The Gottman Institute, USA Best-Selling Author: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Dr Daniel Siegel, MD, USA
DR DANIEL SIEGEL, MD, USA
Psychiatrist and award-winning educator, Author: The Mindful Brain, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine; Director, Center for Human Development, USA

Lama Surya Das, USA
LAMA SURYA DAS, USA
One of the world’s foremost Western meditation teachers and scholars
Author: Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be and Awakening the Buddha Within

Professor John Armstrong
PROFESSOR JOHN ARMSTRONG
Associate Professor of Philosophy, Melbourne University; Philosopher in- Residence, Melbourne Business School; Author: Love Life Goethe: How to be Happy in an Imperfect World

John Cheetham
JOHN CHEETHAM
Consulting Psychologist, Director, Cheetham Consulting Group

Dr Tom Denson
DR TOM DENSON
Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of NSW

Shanaka Fernado
SHANAKA FERNADO
Australia’s Local Hero 2007, Founder, Lentil As Anything

Morris Gleitzman
MORRIS GLEITZMAN
Best-Selling Children’s Author: Once and Then

Professor Ian Hickie
PROFESSOR IAN HICKIE
Executive Director, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney

Jo Lamble
JO LAMBLE
Clinical Psychologist; Columnist, New Idea; Presenter Sunrise and The Morning Show, Channel 7, Author: The Partner Test

Cynthia Morton
CYNTHIA MORTON
Author, Speaker, Founder: The Emotional Fitness Program

Renate Ogilvie
RENATE OGILVIE
Psychotherapist, Senior Teacher, Vajrayana Institute; Director, World Happiness Forum

Terry Robson
TERRY ROBSON
Editor: WellBeing Magazine; Health Reporter SKY News and ABC Local Radio; Author: Deep Health and What's the Alternative?

Simon Rountree, CEO
SIMON ROUNTREE, CEO
Camp Quality Limited

Sophie Scott
SOPHIE SCOTT
National Medical Reporter, ABC; Author: Live A Longer Life

Dr Norman Swan
DR NORMAN SWAN
Broadcaster, Journalist, Doctor, Presenter: TheHealth Report, ABC Radio National
 



 

Dr Daniel Goleman, USA
DR DANIEL GOLEMAN
Psychologist, International Best-Selling Author: Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence, * A pre-recorded session exclusively for Happiness & Its Causes

Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky, USA
PROFESSOR SONJA LYUBOMIRSKY
Acclaimed positive psychology researcher University of California, USA

Angela Catterns
DR NORMAN DOIDGE, MD
Psychiatrist, Researcher and International; Best-Selling Author: The Brain That Changes Itself on the neuroplasticity revolution, Columbia University, New York, USA, and University of Toronto, Canada

Marva Collins
MARVA COLLINS

Inspiring, award-winning educator, Author: Marva Collins Way, Marva Collins Schools, USA

Geraldine Cox, AM
GERALDINE COX
Founder, Sunrise Children’s Village, Cambodia, Author: Home is Where the Heart Is


CATH ARMSTRONG
Founder, Cheapskates, Author: Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing

Professor Paula Barrett
PROFESSOR PAULA BARRETT
School of Education, University of Queensland; Director, Pathways Health and Research Centre

Lucinda Bryant
LUCINDA BRYANT
Artistic Director, Merry Makers Australia and Dancers, Merry Makers Australia

Professor Rob Donovan
PROFESSOR ROB DONOVAN
Professor of Behavioural Research, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, WA

Alicia Fortinberry, MS
ALICIA FORTINBERRY, MS
Fortinberry- Murray Consulting, Best-Selling Author: Creating Optimism

Dr Jimmy Little, AO
DR JIMMY LITTLE, AO
Australian Living Treasure, celebrated Indigenous musician, Founder, The Jimmy Little Foundation

Bob Murray, PhD
BOB MURRAY, PhD
Fortinberry- Murray Consulting, Best-Selling Author: Creating Optimism

Ruth Ostrow
RUTH OSTROW
Senior Journalist, The Australian; Author: Life Magic

David Rock
DAVID ROCK
Founder & CEO, Results Coaching Systems, Author: Quiet Leadership

Alan Saunders
ALAN SAUNDERS
Presenter, The Philosopher’s Zone, ABC Radio National

Sherry Strong
SHERRY STRONG
Food Philosopher and Nutritional Strategist, Foodlover's Workshop



 

 
Marci Shimof, USA
MARCI SHIMOFF, USA
International Best-Selling Author: Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and Happy for No Reason

Tony Buzan, UK
TONY BUZAN, UK
Leading author on creative thinking Mind Map originator International Best-Selling Author: Use Your Head and The Mind Map Book

Professor Irving Kirsch
PROFESSOR IRVING KIRSCH
Controversial anti-depressants researcher, University of Hull, UK

Richard Aedy
RICHARD AEDY
Presenter, Life Matters, ABC Radio National

Dr Christine Bennett
DR CHRISTINE BENNETT
Chief Medical Officer, Bupa Australia Group; Chair, National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission

Angela Catterns
ANGELA CATTERNS
Broadcaster & Media Veteran

David Crosbie, CEO
DAVID CROSBIE, CEO
Mental Health Council of Australia

Stephanie Dowrick
STEPHANIE DOWRICK
Best-Selling Author of fiction and non-fiction, including: Choosing Happiness; Interfaith Minister; Good Weekend columnist

Dr Ruth Gawler
DR RUTH GAWLER
General Practitioner, Group Leader and Therapist, The Gawler Foundation

Dr Suzy Green
DR SUZY GREEN
Clinical and Coaching Psychologist, Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney

Libby Koch
LIBBY KOCH
Co-author: Kochie's Guide: Smart Couples Start with Nothing and Create Real Wealth and Women’s Guide to Going It Alone

Julie McCrossin, MC
JULIE MCCROSSIN
Journalist, TV & Radio Presenter

Richard Neville
RICHARD NEVILLE
Australia’s most controversial futurist, Co-founder and Director, The Neville Freeman Agency; Author: Footprints of the Future

Dr Vera Ranki
DR VERA RANKI
Founding Director, Examined Life Institute, Multiple award winning author and academic

Dr Brian Rosner
DR BRIAN ROSNER
Fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity; Lecturer, Moore Theological College, Author: Beyond Greed and Editor: The Consolations of Theology

Profesor Tim Sharp
PROFESSOR TIM SHARP
Founder and Chief Happiness Officer, The Happiness Institute, Author: The Happiness Handbook

PAUL THOMPSON
Principal, Kimberley College, Queensland