„The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
In Dialogue with the Future – this is the theme of the 7th National Week of Happiness at School, held across Poland from 28 September to 4 October 2026.
Where did the idea come from? This year’s theme refers to the third wave of positive psychology emerging worldwide. This wave emphasizes responsibility for the future, dialogue, values, and long‑term wellbeing (including collective wellbeing).
Positive Psychology 3.0 focuses on:
- looking toward the future and strengthening hope, vision, and sense of meaning,
- creating a dialogue between the present and what is yet to come,
- acknowledging social and cultural context as well as global challenges,
- reflecting on how our actions today shape future wellbeing.
We already know which learning mechanisms work. The question is: how can we use them? Education of the future is not preparation for a specific world, but preparation for living in a world that constantly changes. That is why this year’s proposals include reflective and inspiring activities that encourage positive interventions.
- Not everything that is measurable has value
We live in a world that loves numbers: grades, scores, likes, rankings. And yet what matters most — trust, relationships, meaning — often escapes measurement. This is an invitation to discover what cannot be captured in a spreadsheet but truly shapes the quality of life.
- Think for yourself — even if you’re wrong
Independent thinking requires courage, because it carries the risk of mistakes and rejection. And yet without it, there is no innovation or growth. This is a space for practicing your own opinion and learning from errors.
- Offline is life too
Constant online presence changes how we think, rest, and build relationships. This is an invitation to regain balance and explore what happens when we log out of the virtual world for a moment.
- Uncertainty is the new norm
The world is becoming less predictable, and the ability to cope with uncertainty is becoming essential. Instead of eliminating it, it is worth learning to live with it and act despite it.
- A difference of opinion is the beginning of a conversation
In a divided world, the ability to talk despite differences becomes one of the most important social skills. This is an invitation to build bridges instead of walls.
- You are not an algorithm
In a world of technology, it is easy to forget that a human being is more than data and predictable patterns. This is a reflection on what is unique, unexpected, beautiful, and valuable within us.
- Faster doesn’t mean better
The pace of life is increasing, but the quality of experiences doesn’t always keep up. This is an invitation to pause and explore what truly makes us happy.
- Your attention is your choice
Attention is becoming one of the most precious currencies of our time. This is an invitation to regain control over what we focus our thoughts and energy on.
- Empathy is courage, not weakness
Understanding another person requires effort and openness. It is a skill of the future that enables building relationships and cooperation despite differences.
- You don’t need to know in order to begin
Perfectionism and fear of mistakes often block action. This is an invitation to courage, experimentation, and learning through practice.
- The world is changing — are you?
Adaptability is one of the key competencies of the future. This is a question about readiness to change, learn, and redefine oneself.
- The future begins with a conversation
Dialogue is the foundation of development — both personal and social. This is an invitation to attentive, genuine communication.
- You are not above nature — you are part of it
Humans often place themselves above nature, forgetting about mutual dependencies. This is an invitation to restore our relationship with nature as a source of life and balance.
- A world that does not speak…
Nature communicates differently than humans — through silence, rhythm, presence. This is an invitation to mindfulness and experiencing the world beyond the noise of information.
- Wisdom is seeing more than just yourself
In a world overflowing with information and opinions, knowledge alone is not enough. Wisdom is the ability to look more broadly: to notice context, understand the consequences of our actions, question our own beliefs, and choose what truly matters. It is also the art of balancing perspectives — our own and others’ — and seeking solutions that may not be perfect but are good enough for many.
This year’s challenge: Prepare a short artistic piece (a vignette, sketch, pantomime, literary work, etc.) on the theme “DIALOGUE WITH THE FUTURE” and publish the recording by 4 October 2026 (Sunday) on your YouTube or Facebook, using the hashtags:
#tydzienszczesciawszkole2026 #happinessatschool @happinessatschool
Join us! Registration and details are available at: www.happinessatschool.pl in the section “How to participate?”
Wishing you a good life 😊
Author’s note: A Doctor of Economics, researcher, educator, and promoter of a scientific approach to happiness and good living. Director of the Institute of Educational Thought KOM, created by combining her body of work (including the Movus Movere company) with the achievements of the KOM Foundation. Lecturer at the University of Wrocław and member of the Polish Society for Positive Psychology.
Creator of the National Happiness Week in Schools. Author of the Happiness at School® program and over 100 publications in the fields of education and the labor market. Her mission is to share the experience of happiness and teach how to talk about happiness and learn it. Her areas of expertise include building self‑esteem, discovering talents and strengths, developing emotional intelligence, and stress prevention in the modern world. The first Chief Happiness Officer in Polish education.
Co‑host of “Conversations about Happiness” on YouTube. Passionate about travel, nature photography, and haiku poetry. Author of a blog at www.movusmovere.pl
