Creating a New Moral Compass for the City of Palmira
Palmira, the “City of Palms,” is located in Valle del Cauca, a coastal region of western Colombia. In 2011, the city was plagued by violence, with a staggering homicide rate of 98.1 per 100,000 residents—making it one of the most dangerous cities in the country.
But over the next decade, that changed. By 2022, the homicide rate had dropped by more than 50 percent, reaching its lowest point in 17 years. That remarkable turnaround earned Palmira the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Peace Prize—an international award that recognizes local governments implementing successful initiatives for peace and community well-being.
Among those driving this change were the Chaplains of Peace and Defenders of Human Rights, a multifaith association working to improve society. Early on, the association adopted The Way to Happiness as the very tool they needed to spread peace and instill moral values across the city and Valle del Cauca. The Chaplains of Peace have distributed over 500,000 copies of TWTH through a series of events and lectures, reaching a large section of society, including athletes and schoolchildren.
The association adopted The Way to Happiness as the very tool they needed to spread peace and instill moral values.
Encouraged by the enthusiastic response to the booklet, the Chaplains of Peace—together with TWTH Colombia—found an innovative way to expand their reach: a public park with signs representing each of the 21 precepts of The Way to Happiness. The signs also have QR codes that lead to the precepts on the TWTH website.
The opening ceremony was well attended, drawing leading officials such as the Chief of Human Rights Office of the Valle Police Department and the presidents of the local Community Action Boards.
For Palmira’s citizens, understanding moral values has quite literally become a walk in the park. Young and old alike now enjoy a peaceful green space with easy access to the 21 precepts—a living reminder of the city’s transformation and the values that helped make it possible.
FACTS
HAPPINESS NUMBERS
The Way to Happiness message spreads further and further each year:
1,820,663
BOOKLETS
distributed worldwide
in the past year.
8,295
INDIVIDUALS
started The Way to Happiness online course in the last year.
574,469
ONLINE COURSE LESSONS
were completed
last year.
76,887
STUDENTS
were reached with The Way to Happiness in the past year.
12,080,615
PEOPLE REACHED
worldwide by
The Way to Happiness message in 2024.
RESTORE MORAL VALUES
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklets and curriculum material.
