Community Leaders Convene at The Way to Happiness Foundation International to Address Moral Decline

2026 Way to Happiness Conference Connects Global Audiences Virtually and In Person to Expand Values-Based Education Efforts

GLENDALE, CA, UNITED STATES, June 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As nations grapple with rising crime, youth violence, social distrust and growing institutional instability, delegates gathered for the 2026 The Way to Happiness Conference in Glendale, California, to advance a practical global response to worsening moral and ethical decline.

Held May 22–24 at the headquarters of The Way to Happiness Foundation International, the 2026 conference brought together educators, law enforcement officials, humanitarian groups, business leaders and community organizers from Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States.

The focus of the summit was direct and urgent: how to reduce destructive behavior before societies pay the massive financial and human cost of its consequences.

Reported fraud losses exceeded $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25 percent increase over the prior year. Because most fraud goes unreported, the Federal Trade Commission estimates the true cost to American consumers could run far higher, reaching as much as $195.9 billion. Delegates also discussed rising retail theft losses, worsening youth violence, classroom disruption, addiction and declining public trust in institutions as indicators of growing social instability affecting countries worldwide. They repeatedly emphasized that governments and communities are spending enormous sums attempting to manage the consequences of social breakdown while investing comparatively little into preventative moral education and character-based solutions.

“Societies are spending hundreds of billions dealing with the consequences of dishonesty, addiction, violence and fraud — while investing almost nothing in teaching people how to live ethical, productive lives,” said Ludwig Alpers, President of The Way to Happiness Foundation International. “You cannot arrest your way out of moral collapse. At some point societies must rebuild personal responsibility at the individual level.”

The Way to Happiness program operates through large-scale grassroots distribution combined with practical daily application. The book is used internationally by educators, law enforcement groups, youth outreach initiatives and other community based organizations. A major focus was the growing success of localized and custom-covered editions of the book — a unique model that allows the distribution of editions carrying their own local identity. Delegates reported that localized editions dramatically increased public participation because communities viewed the material as directly connected to their own schools, neighborhoods and organizations.

Conference presentations included successful campaigns from multiple regions of the world. Representatives from Latin America presented community and outreach initiatives designed to reduce violence and strengthen cooperation between citizens and local institutions. “I worked through years of terrorism, narcotics related violence and social upheaval in Colombia. One lesson became undeniable: no nation can police its way out of moral decline. When honesty, responsibility and respect disappear from daily life, violence and corruption inevitably return. The distribution of more than 14 million copies of The Way to Happiness throughout Colombia helped restore stability — person by person, family by family and community by community,” said Col. Ricardo Prado, a retired officer of the Colombian National Police.

Delegates from Asia discussed educational and youth programs focused on rebuilding personal responsibility and social stability among younger generations. European participants addressed rising concerns surrounding social isolation, distrust and behavioral decline, while American community leaders presented programs targeting gang intervention, drug prevention and high-crime urban areas.

Speakers throughout the conference emphasized that The Way to Happiness is not based on politics or religion, but on practical principles intended to help individuals live more ethical, stable and productive lives.

Organizers stated that the objective is not simply awareness, but measurable social improvement. “People everywhere are tired of hearing about problems without solutions,” said Kim Bey, Washington, D.C. Chapter Coordinator for The Way to Happiness Foundation. “This movement is about practical actions that individuals and communities can apply immediately to help restore trust, stability and respect for one another.”

The conference concluded with a global expansion strategy for 2026–2027 using more digital channels, educator training programs, city partnerships, youth initiatives and broader community distribution campaigns.

The Way to Happiness Foundation International supports the global educational distribution of The Way to Happiness, a nonreligious common-sense guide to better living written by L. Ron Hubbard. With more than 145 million copies distributed in 193 countries and territories and translated into 118 languages, the movement works with educators, civic leaders, humanitarian groups and communities internationally to promote ethical living, personal responsibility and social betterment.

Ludwig Alpers
The Way to Happiness Foundation
+1 818-402-3218
email us here

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