Program 1 Report: Quality of Life & Well-being

ABSTRACT

The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Group developed a description of 'quality of life,' and it conceptualizes that quality of life is an individual's perception of his or her position in life in the context of the culture and value systems. It also depends on his or her goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. This is an inclusive and broad description of well-being encompassing social indicators, happiness, and health status. It also captures positive aspects of coping, resilience, satisfaction, and autonomy, among other issues. A United Nations resolution in 2011 stated: '..the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal'. It also stresses that 'the gross domestic product indicator by its nature was not designed to and did not adequately reflect the happiness and well-being of people in a country.' With all the economic development and the growth of the tourism industry, Aruba's social context has changed over time. The exponential growth of migrants and visitors to Aruba, resulted in significant changes in the society, bringing with it tremendous stress on the community. This growth in our population, because of the influx of people with different cultural customs and values, required rapid and more development of infrastructure, buildings, and consequently the destructive impact hereof on our nature and environment. In recent years, the government concluded that Aruba is experiencing a social crisis. There seems to be a decrease in mortality and responsibility at all levels of society, an increase of inhabitants living under marginalized conditions due to unemployment and cheap labor. It was also determined that there is a weakening of the social network of family that parents traditionally relied on to serve as a united front to instill good norms and values in their children. The reinforcement of this network should be one of the crucial elements in combatting the social crisis.