NESC Report on Well-Being

An integrated and balanced approach, which takes into account the well-being of individuals and of society, is required in responding to the economic crisis’ according to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). In its recent report NESC argues that economic and social progress are complementary, so that social well-being is a central element in economic recovery.

The report, Well-Being Matters: A Social Report for Ireland, calls for a broader understanding of social progress. It concludes that:
o Something more than GDP is required to measure social progress. GDP can measure economic output but does not take adequate account of the value of education, our health, or the natural environment.  Our social progress is linked to the capabilities of our people and that is where well-being matters. 
o There is growing international interest in measures of well-being beyond GDP. The NESC report is the first major application of well-being to chart social progress in Ireland. The report tracks trends across six aspects of people’s lives: their economic resources, their work and education, their relationships and care, their community and environment, their health, and societal values. 
o The evidence would suggest that all of these aspects of a person’s life are important for their well-being and that they are inter-connected’ said Helen Johnston of NESC, the author of the report. ‘The emphasis given to each depends on an individual’s particular circumstances, how they compare themselves to others, and by the values set in wider society.
The report deals with the relevance of well-being in a recession and crisis. It concludes that:
o Most people have the capacity and resilience to deal with adversity but often need some support. These should include support on employment, service provision, and income. 
o In a climate of limited financial resources we need to think about how we can do things differently, rather than cutting away many of the services which have been developed in recent years,
o A focus on well-being helps us to understand some of the imbalances that gave rise to the crisis. 
o It also forces us to think through the kind of balanced and sustainable pattern of growth and prosperity we would want to create as we come out of the crisis. Applying key aspects of a well-being approach we would take into account:
·  Capability – by focusing on what individuals can do (not what they can’t do) with a view to developing their capabilities.
·  Agency – by respecting the capacity of individuals to make decisions about their lives.
o Purpose – by recognising the importance of having a sense of purpose by encouraging and supporting people to engage in meaningful and rewarding activity.
o Social interaction – by acknowledging that we operate in the context of a set of relationships, of the family, community and wider society.
o Common good – by realising that as individuals and societies we do better in more equal and fairer societies.
o Sustainability – by appreciating that we live in a finite world and have to use our resources wisely now and for future generations.

According to this NESC Report, a person’s well-being relates to their physical, social and mental state. It requires that basic needs are met, that people have a sense of purpose, that they feel able to achieve important goals, to participate in society and to live lives they value and have reason to value. People’s well-being is enhanced by conditions that include financial and personal security, meaningful and rewarding work, supportive personal relationships, strong and inclusive communities, good health, a healthy and attractive environment, and values of democracy and social justice. Public policy’s role is to bring about these conditions by placing the individual at the centre of policy development and delivery, by assessing the risks facing him/her, and ensuring the supports are available to address those risks at key stages in his/her life.
In applying this conceptual approach, six ‘domains’ of well-being are focused on throughout the report:
·  Economic resources;
·  Work and participation;
·  Relationships and care;
·  Community and environment;
·  Health; and
·  Democracy and values.

The findings of the report lead to a number of policy conclusions. In the context of the recession, three urgent and demanding problems requiring immediate attention are identified as:
· The need to address unemployment through diverse and intensive activation measures;
· The provision of financial supports, including pension reform; and
· The transformation of institutions with improved accountability.

Ongoing priorities are identified as:
·  Early childhood care and education;
·  Life-long learning;
·  Care supports to promote independent living;
·  Supports to accommodate working and other activities, especially caring;
·  Building sustainable communities; and
·  Promoting better health.