EAST Ballina's Richard Jones wants the world to laugh, just for a minute, to celebrate International Day of Happiness on Friday.

While the events manager is used to getting big ideas off the ground, he is starting this global campaign small, and wants Ballina Shire residents to be the first to chuckle.

He has instigated the Laugh-a-Minute for Mankind campaign to be launched at Ballina Public School, and on Ballina community radio station Paradise FM, at 1pm on Friday, which is the United Nations' International Day of Happiness.

"We're on this planet not only to work, but to have a bit of fun, too," Mr Jones said.

"I thought we should have a minute of laughter and be thankful for what we've got."

The UN ratified March 20 as International Day of Happiness in 2012 and invited submissions on events to mark the occasion.

Mr Jones was inspired to hold a minute of laughter after hearing the minute of silence broadcast on Paradise FM on Remembrance Day, and sent his idea to the UN.

He found out in January it had been endorsed.

"Laughter is unique to human beings and it has many benefits," he said.

"But laughter also has a mysterious characteristic - it's contagious."

There will also be Chuckle Central at the Ballina school assembly on Friday and the public is invited to attend.

Paradise FM will broadcast one minute of laughter at 1pm. Tune in to 101.9 for the giggles.