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From NEF newsletter, the report is an interesting read. it may require a quick registration, found at www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/iglzyk45xj2jksb01c14fvq424012009010050.pdf "It has long been recognised that GDP - the standard measure of national income relied on by politicians and commentators to assess the progress of nations - fails as a meaningful measure of social progress. It takes no account of how fairly resources are distributed or the social and environmental damage caused by growth. As interest in alternative measures gathers momentum, *nef* is calling on governments to systematically measure and report on well-being, and has made the first detailed proposal on how this should be done. *nef*'s /National Accounts of Well-being/ presents the most comprehensive international analyses of well-being ever produced. The results reveal, for example, people in the UK aged 16-24 report the lowest level of trust and belonging - a key element of social well-being - anywhere in Europe, perhaps the result of the development of a highly individualistic culture in the UK. Looking across Europe, the results suggest that well-being could be enhanced by, for example, encouraging participation in local activities and trust in political institutions." *Read /National Accounts of Well-being: Bringing real wealth onto the balance sheet/ <http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/z_sys_publicationdetail.aspx?pid=279>* *Explore the new National Accounts of Well-being website <http://www.nationalaccountsofwellbeing.org/>* *Take the survey and create your own well-being profile <http://www.nationalaccountsofwellbeing.org/engage/survey.html>* *BBC Online: Home Affairs Editor, Mark Easton, blogs National Accounts <http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2009/01/map_of_the_week_trust_and_belo.html> BBC News: Interview with nef's Nic Marks <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7848647.stm> Daily Telegraph*: British youths are most alienated in Europe <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/4323513/British-youths-are-most-alienated-in-Europe-new-happiness-league-table-claims.html>*The Guardian*: *Measure smiles, not just GDP: British 'among least happy in Europe'* <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jan/24/british-identity-new-economics-foundation-happiness>