Sustainable Happiness Certificate – 20 Hours
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Discover how personal well-being, community connection, and sustainability come together. This unique program blends positive psychology, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to foster happiness that lasts – individually and collectively.
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The Purposeful Living Project is built upon the foundational work of Dr. Catherine O’Brien, who defined Sustainable Happiness as:
“Happiness that contributes to individual, community, and global well-being and does not exploit other people, the environment, or future generations.”
Sustainable Happiness Certificate – Microcredential
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Cost: $495 + HST
- 2025-26 pricing
- In-Person
- 3-day immersive course.
- Have a group and want it delivered on-site? We’ll come to you - reach out for details!
- Online
- A 10-week program featuring 2-hour interactive sessions each week.
- Apply your learning with a personally designed community project
- In beautiful Costa Rica with partners at Green Communities Costa Rica
- Explore their delivery options (Coming Soon!)
- Please note that pricing for this option is included within the Green Communities experience packages.
- In-Person
Learn how happiness, health, and sustainability are deeply connected, and how you can lead a more meaningful life while contributing to a better world. This interactive program blends science, self-reflection, and community action to help you cultivate personal well-being and collective flourishing.
Positive Psychology & Studies of Happiness
Uncover what truly makes us happy. Blending research and personal experience, you will explore proven strategies to build optimism, gratitude, and resilience, while aligning your actions with your personal values and sense of purpose.
Nature as a Mentor for Health & Resilience
Reconnect with the natural world. Learn how spending time in Nature can restore mental health, reduce stress, and inspire new ways to live in harmony with our planet.
Consumption, Food Security & Interdependence
Examine the link between what we consume, global food systems, and community well-being. Discover how mindful choices can improve your health, support food security, and strengthen your connection to others and the Earth.
Sustainability & the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Learn how your daily actions contribute to global change. Sustainable Happiness brings the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to life, showing how individuals and communities can make a measurable difference in creating a more just and sustainable world.
Flourishing – People & Planet
Move beyond only personal wellness to explore what it means to truly flourish. Discover how long-term happiness is cultivated when action with intent is directed towards personal, social and ecological health.
Hands-On Community Project
Turn learning into positive action by designing and implementing a community project that promotes genuine wealth — wealth in hope, health, learning and connection.
Measure Your Growth!
Track your own transformation. Measure your well-being before and after the course to see how positive change takes root in your life and community.
Discover sustainable happiness with our complimentary journal - designed to inspire reflection, gratitude, and well-being. (As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, complimentary journals are provided to in-person cohorts only.)
- Personal Growth: Discover practical, research-based tools to cultivate lasting happiness, gratitude, and mindfulness in your daily life.
- Mindful Stewardship: Explore how your personal well-being is connected to the health of communities and the planet - and learn how small, intentional choices can make a significant difference.
- Professional Development: Build skills in compassionate leadership, empathy, and purpose-driven teaching that can enrich any learning or workplace environment.
- Meaningful Impact: Design and carry out a hands-on project that contributes to positive change in your classroom, organization, community, or across the globe!
↳ Students
- Cultivate well-being, resilience, and purpose as part of your studies.
- Gain hands-on experience through a community impact project.
- Strengthen your resume with a certificate linked to sustainability and well-being.
↳ Educators
- Integrate well-being and sustainability into your teaching practice.
- Access methods and content you can bring back to your classroom or institution.
- Use student experience to stimulate learning post certificate
↳ Professionals & People Leaders
- Learn purpose-driven leadership rooted in well-being and impact.
- Support healthier workplaces and values-aligned culture.
- Strengthen CSR / ESG initiatives with people-focused practices.
↳ Individuals of All Ages
- Cultivate personal well-being and a deeper sense of meaning.
- Learn practical tools to live more sustainably and intentionally.
- Join a supportive community of like-minded learners.
Sustainable Happiness Facilitator Training Certificate
Enhance your leadership - guide others in creating well-being for all.
We also offer a facilitator project, equipping educators, leaders, and changemakers with the tools to guide others in integrating sustainable happiness principles into classrooms, workplaces, and community initiatives.
Cost: $2600 + HST
- 2025-26 pricing
Note: Must successfully complete the 20-hour Sustainable Happiness Course to be eligible to apply as a facilitator.
- Online
- Approximately 4–6 hours per week of readings, assignments, and virtual meetings over 24 weeks.
- Class sessions are 2-hours.
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Dr. Catherine O’BrienFounder, Sustainable Happiness
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Chris Adam, MEd., M.S.M.Retired Director, Sustainability Office Dawson College
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Luisa Montes, LCH, MPCLatin America Sustainable Happiness Representative
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Jennifer De Vera, BA, MEdOffice of Sustainability, Dawson College
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Jonathan CerdasCo-Founder, Green Communities Costa Rica Jonathan Cerdas, co-founder of Green Communities, is a leader in sustainable tourism and hospitality with over 20 years of experience. Trained in Business Tourism in Costa Rica, his work integrating clean technology into coffee production earned recognition from the National University (UNA). A Rio+20 UN speaker, Jonathan led Green Communities to win the World Coffee Challenge in 2022 -the first such win for Costa Rica with organic coffee. He also founded Tamí Lodge and Santos Tour and has spoken internationally across Canada, the U.S., and Costa Rica, advancing responsible tourism and regenerative development. |
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Rebecca Morin, BAStudent Government Coordinator Rebecca is a Sustainable Happiness co-facilitator with over 15 years of experience in communications, digital strategy, and community engagement at Canadore College. In her role as Student Government Coordinator, she works to foster a vibrant, inclusive campus community, empowering student leaders and enhancing the student experience. A long-standing member of Canadore’s Sustainability Taskforce, Rebecca brings a deep commitment to environmental and community wellbeing to all she does. |
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Jesse Russell BA (Hons), MEd (in progress)Project Leader, Living Sustainability Centre Jesse’s work focuses on carbon reduction, food and water security, and hands-on innovation - from hydroponic grow pods to a scaled clean water demonstration site. Under his leadership, Canadore became the first Canadian college to earn both FSC and SFI forest certifications and achieved a gold AASHE sustainability rating. A national Living Lab project leader and Sustainable Happiness facilitator, Jesse also manages Farm 17 in Costa Rica and co-founded Farm 17 Coffee Co., a coffee brand creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage in sustainable development abroad. |
Watch the video to experience the Sustainable Happiness Certificate with Green Communities Costa Rica at Farm 17 - where well-being, purpose, and sustainability come alive.
More videos coming soon!
Contact: Jesse Russell (Project Leader, Living Sustainability Centre)
✉️ Email: jesse.russell@canadorecollege.ca