School of International Futures (SOIF)’s Post

SOIF MD Cat Tully has published a new blog sharing more about the UK House of Commons Liaison Committee's visionary new report. Cat writes: "This is the first time that any part of the UK government has had a holistic discussion on how to safeguard the wellbeing of current and next generations. I was one of two Specialist Advisers to the Liaison Committee’s inquiry, and I am thrilled to share some highlights from the Committee’s report, focusing on the parts about governance in times of uncertainty and the protection of democracy for future generations." She shares more about her role contributing expertise in embedding long-term thinking, connecting with global experts and crucially, linking to coalitions of young, diverse people who are pioneering strategic approaches. Special thanks to Sir Bernard Jenkin, Chair of the Liaison Committee and Major General Jonathan Shaw, fellow Specialist Adviser. Their exemplary leadership, alongside the commitment of all committee members and the support from the parliamentary staff, has been crucial to the success of this endeavour. The progressive approach they have outlined not only scrutinises the wellbeing of today’s UK but also that of tomorrow's, catalysing a shift towards governance that robustly integrates the voices of future generations. Explore her commentary on the report and discover how its recommendations could transform UK governance by aligning today's policies with the needs of next generations. Read here: https://bit.ly/3V76L4M #strategicforesight #publicpolicy #intergenerationalfairness #futuregenerations #democracy

It’s a wrap for #SOIF2024! Huge thanks to our fantastic speakers, participants from 17 diverse nationalities and our dedicated facilitators. Your energy and insights have greatly enriched this week of learning and foresight. Witnessing the new collaborations and friendships unfold has been truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing these conversations at the Summit of the Future. See you at #SOIF2025! Andrew Curry Assaf M. Beth McEvoy Brenda Ogembo, PhD Caroline Star Carri Munn Cat Tully Cecilia Tham Christi Bell Claudette S. Daouia Chalali David Slinn Geci Karuri-Sebina Gina Lucarelli Graciela Selaimen Jane Davidson Jhonn Fredy Rey Barbosa Johann Schutte Kenneth Nsah (Mala), PhD Kristofer Nevall (fd Hallgren) Malick F. Matthias Honegger Míriam Zaitegui Pérez Nicholas Colloff Nora Clinton Nudhara Yusuf Olga Tarasov Paul Lindley OBE Peter Glenday Pupul Bisht Ledama Olekina Sophie Howe Tala Anshasi Tessa Roseboom Theodora Ogharanduku Woody Foster Yame Nkgowe #futures #foresight

"It is imperative that all member states support the Declaration on Future Generations and embed it into legislation. We must ensure that every proposed law considers the needs of future generations," says Kenyan Senator Ledama Olekina at #SOIF2024. He emphasises the importance of national governments prioritising high ambition in implementing the Declaration on Future Generations. He also advocates for creating parliamentary committees focussed on future generations and supports the establishment of a special envoy for future generations, with a spotlight on Africa's role in leading these initiatives. How can governments take actionable steps today to prioritise the needs of future generations? Watch the video to learn more. #ourcommonfuture #summitofthefuture #globalgoals #futuregenerations

We're nearing the end of #SOIF2024! Reflecting on the last four days, here are some standout sessions and dynamic exchanges: 🔍 Alternative Futures Panel - Cecilia Tham, Mathew J. Burrows, and Nudhara Yusuf discussed how futures can be applied to policy and challenged us to be 'rigorously imaginative' and define growth by human development, not just economic metrics. ☁️ Live Challenge Presentation - Groups used their work on scenarios and Three Horizons to share their recommendations on decision-making processes for climate change interventions. Themes included building trust in organisations and science, citizen self-governance and multi-sector collaboration. 🔧 Open Space - Facilitated by Glenda Eoyang and Abi Nokes, this session allowed participants to engage directly in exploring and prototyping ideas, fostering collaborative learning. 📈 Futures with Impact Panel - This discussion, featuring Gina Lucarelli, Nicholas Colloff and Senator Ledama Olekina, focussed on applying foresight in policy and strategic decision-making. We heard about the importance of futures and planning beyond the political election and the need to get ready for Africa to be where most people live in 2100. ✨ Moment of delight Cat Tully Sarah Spencer Johann Schutte Andrew Curry Peter Glenday Katie Isbell Julia Reindl Iman Bashir Lenka Chobotová Kushal Sohal Kenneth Nsah (Mala), PhD Daouia Chalali Tessa Roseboom #foresight #futures #governance #policy #climateaction

"Foresight blends art and science, empowering us to envision possibilities we never thought possible and navigate today's complex challenges," says Kenneth Nsah (Mala), PhD at #SOIF2024. He shares the need to democratise foresight, making it as fundamental as numeracy and literacy. This foundational knowledge equips people to hold institutions accountable and manage the uncertainties of our rapidly changing world. How can we further integrate foresight into our daily decision-making to better prepare for future uncertainties? Watch the video for more. Next Generation Foresight Practitioners #foresight #futures

As we approach the Summit of the Future, the Declaration on Future Generations reaches a crucial stage. This Declaration is vital for shaping a governance framework that addresses today's challenges and secures a fair future for the next generations. At the #SOIF2024 Summit of the Future lunchtime session, we explored how this Declaration integrates the 3 elements of the SOIF Triangle—engaging citizens in shaping their futures, preparing organisations and sectors for future uncertainties and ensuring leaders make decisions that are fair for both current and future generations. The negotiations are promising yet highlights the need for firm accountability measures. With the final discussions imminent, we must adopt systematic approaches to effectively implement the Declaration. Discover how different nations are implementing accountability measures and where gaps remain in the SOIF blog: https://bit.ly/3ypDCKK Sophie Howe Cat Tully UK Mission to the United Nations #foresight #ourcommonfuture #summitofthefuture #globalgoals

At #SOIF2024 we've been discussing how the Declaration on Future Generations can make a tangible difference to the world's current challenges and the people living through these today. "The Declaration really helps to connect both our past and our future, but also it connects people to the planet and bridges people across time and place. It integrates various elements of policies or activities within and across countries, including environmental, equality and health and wellbeing aspects," shares Professor Tessa Roseboom from the University of Amsterdam. The Declaration on Future Generations' role as a framework not only addresses the needs of current and future generations but also harmonises our efforts across different sectors and regions to create more sustainable futures. How might recognising the interconnectedness of our actions today shape the policies we create for current and future generations? Watch the video for more. Explore the implications of the Declaration on Future Generations and its potential to transform our approach to global governance on the SOIF blog: https://bit.ly/4cVxQPY #ourcommonfuture #summitofthefuture #globalgoals

#SOIF2024 Week in Review. It's been an inspiring and active week so far at our retreat! Here are our key highlights: 🔍 Exploring Adaptive Systems with Carri Munn & Glenda Eoyang - participants engaged in exercises to understand complex systems, utilising the "What, So what, Now what" methodology to approach organisational challenges. Learn more about these practices: https://lnkd.in/gHMYhvmt “If you don’t know what is going to happen then you really need good questions.” 🛠️ Foresight Workshop with Geci Karuri-Sebina - this session provided a deeper dive into the foresight mindset and how to build futures literacy. Teams explored the art and craft of foresight, building models to represent Reframed Futures. “The ability to imagine is essential to decolonising the future and creating new forms” 🗣️ Panel Discussion with Derek Walker, Paul Lindley OBE and Pupul Bisht, ‘The Policy Client or Decision-Maker’s Perspective’ Derek Walker shared the importance of positivity, involvement and ongoing advocacy in decision-making. 🌿 Meet for “Keats” paired learning walk and picnic lunch - participants enjoyed a paired learning walk through historic Winchester, experiencing nature and culture while reflecting in an inspiring environment. Cat Tully Jane Davidson Lenka Chobotová Julia Reindl Kenneth Nsah (Mala), PhD #foresight #futures #policy

It’s Day 2 at #SOIF2024! Today, we introduced our Live Challenge: Global decisions on climate interventions, set by Cynthia Scharf and Matthias Honegger from The International Center for Future Generations - ICFG. The Live Challenge question: Given the difficulties and necessities of global decision-making and multilateralism, how might and how should decisions about climate interventions be made? This challenge addresses the critical and controversial field of geoengineering, exploring its potential to mitigate climate change while navigating ethical, environmental and socio-political impacts on different generations and communities. We aim to contribute to the debate on geoengineering and to frame these technologies, within the broader narrative of just and sustainable transitions. 🔹 "Does humanity have the right to intentionally alter the one atmosphere we share seeking to reduce extreme heat and related climate impacts? On the other hand, given the gravity of the climate crisis, do we have a right not to?" By undertaking a whole of society approach and equipping the multilateral system to embed the needs and interests of future generations, the Declaration on Future Generations can make a tangible difference on issues like climate change that we are exploring in the Live Challenge. Learn about the long-term challenges of geoengineering and how strategic foresight can guide ethical climate interventions in our interview with Cynthia Scharf and Matthias Honegger. Read here: https://bit.ly/4do2jpH #foresight #futures #geoengineering #climatechange #SRM #climateaction