About IJVA
Measuring well-being differently
Our mission
The African Joy of Living Index (IJVA) was born from a simple observation: existing well-being indices do not reflect the African reality.
The IJVA offers a vision of well-being rooted in African values, where community solidarity (Ubuntu) holds a central place.
Why 40% for Ubuntu?
"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu"
A person is a person through other people.
The Ubuntu philosophy embodies the idea that our humanity is inherently linked to that of others.
What the IJVA measures
✓ What we measure
- Security and political stability
- Material well-being and access to services
- Community solidarity (Ubuntu)
- Cultural and artistic vitality
- Social cohesion and mutual aid
- Preservation of local traditions and languages
✗ What we do not measure
- Subjective individual happiness
- Gross economic wealth (GDP)
- Purely Western indicators
- Economic competitiveness
- Criteria disconnected from African realities
The project
The IJVA is an independent research and awareness project. It aims to:
- Highlight
- Inform
- Question
- Celebrate
This website was created in 2024 as part of the "African Wisdoms" project.
Contact
For any questions, suggestions or collaborations:
- 📧 contact@ijva.blog
- 🌐 www.ijva.blog
License and usage
IJVA data and analyses are freely accessible under a Creative Commons license.
Terms of use:
- Source citation required
- No commercial use without authorization
- Share under the same conditions