IBSA Foundation: Where Science Meets Art for the Well-being of New Generations

Every year on 20th March, it marks the International Day of Happiness, an important reminder of well-being's crucial role in our lives and society. Happiness has increasingly gained recognition as a fundamental societal metric, evidenced by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre now publishing the World Happiness Report since 2024. This significant document assesses national well-being not just by GDP, but also by social support, freedom, and citizens' health.

Recent years have unequivocally shown that the concept of happiness is built upon solid scientific foundations, a topic thoroughly explored at the Lugano Happiness Forum in 2024. This scientific backing is precisely why happiness is a core area of focus for IBSA Foundation’s scientific research activities, as the primary promoter of the corporate social responsibility programme of IBSA Group. Since 2012, the Foundation has been dedicated to transforming scientific insights into tangible projects, fostering the well-being and awareness of younger generations through initiatives that explore the profound connection between science and happiness.

A prime example is the Happiness2.0 project, a collaborative initiative with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano. This initiative draws directly from the findings of the HappyB scientific study, led by Laura Marciano (Associate, Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital). Happiness2.0 is integrated into Let's Science!, a scientific outreach programme designed for young people. Through engaging comics, hands-on workshops, and interactive exhibitions, it introduces students to vital topics in health and well-being.

REFLECTING ON WELL-BEING AND IDENTITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

As part of the Happiness2.0 project, HappyLabs were launched in 2024 for high school students across Canton Ticino, Switzerland. These innovative workshops creatively blend scientific content with artistic expression to encourage students to reflect on the interplay between identity, relationships, and the digital world. A key objective is to deepen understanding of social media use and its evolving influence on adolescent well-being.

To date, over 35 HappyLabs have successfully engaged more than 700 students. Guided by experts in psychology and communication, each session begins with a scientific overview of the diverse factors shaping well-being in the digital landscape. This includes biological and individual aspects, social and relational dynamics, personality development processes, and the critical role of relationships in forming identity.

Following this scientific grounding, students participate in practical activities designed to stimulate personal and creative reflection on the themes discussed. Highlights include:

• Exploring the difference between online presence and real identity: Utilising actual masks as a powerful symbol of self-expression and personal discovery.
• The "Happiness Pyramid": A creative exercise where students visually map the hierarchy of elements that contribute to their individual well-being, promoting a deeper, more conscious understanding of happiness.

These workshops are continuously evolving, and in recent years, they have expanded to include discussions on the impact of emerging technologies, particularly the conscious use of artificial intelligence.

HAPPINESS2.0 EMBRACES INTERNATIONAL REACH

The IBSA Foundation’s commitment to wider engagement was evident in February, when it participated in InnovaComix, the international comic festival in Lugano, opening the HappyLabs to the general public.

Looking ahead, 2026 marks a significant collaboration with the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most renowned and prestigious cultural institutions. As a Supporter of the Educational Activities for the Biennale Arte 2026, IBSA Foundation will integrate the HappyLabs into the Biennale Arte’s educational offerings. This exciting partnership will extend these crucial digital well-being workshops to Italian schools, broadening their reach and impact significantly.

This collaboration represents another important step in IBSA Foundation's ongoing mission to foster connections between scientific research, creativity, and education, continually engaging students and the public in new and stimulating contexts.