Together for Wellbeing: Theme announced for the Wellbeing Economy Forum 2027

The Wellbeing Economy Forum returns to Reykjavík on 15–16 April 2027 under the theme “Together for Wellbeing – The Power of Connecting People, Policy and Planet,” highlighting the power of connection, conversation and collective action in building a future where people and the planet can thrive.

Creating a wellbeing economy requires more than good ideas or individual initiatives. It calls for collaboration across sectors, institutions, communities and generations, recognising that the challenges affecting our wellbeing are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation.

The theme of the fifth Wellbeing Economy Forum puts the power of connection at the heart of this conversation. It reflects the importance of bringing together different perspectives, experiences and knowledge, creating space for meaningful dialogue and turning shared ambitions into action.

Dr. Dóra G. Guðmundsdóttir, Founder and Chair of the Wellbeing Economy Forum, explains the thinking behind the theme:

"At the heart of wellbeing is connection – with ourselves, others and nature. Building a wellbeing economy is not something any one individual, government, organisation or generation can do alone. We need to do this together.” 

That means connecting people across borders, sectors and generations, from academia to policymakers and business leaders, and from national governments to local communities.

But connection is about more than bringing people together.

“It’s about having conversations, listening to one another, learning from different perspectives and finding common ground. Most importantly, it’s about using those connections to act together for the wellbeing of people and the planet, today and for future generations."

The theme builds on conversations from previous Forums, including the importance of looking beyond traditional economic indicators when measuring progress, rethinking how we define success, and placing wellbeing at the centre of decisions that shape our societies.

The 2027 Forum will continue this conversation, bringing together political leaders, policymakers, researchers, businesses, civil society and other changemakers to explore how stronger connections and meaningful dialogue can help translate the principles of a wellbeing economy into practice.

Organised by the Icelandic Directorate of Health as part of the EU co-funded Joint Action PreventNCD, the Forum will take place at Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 15–16 April 2027, with pre-forum events on 14 April.

Further details about the programme, speakers and participation will be announced in the coming months.