Workshop: From Paralysis to Agency: Foresight for Long-Term Impact

The perma-crisis revealed government limitations in operating in uncertainty. The risk of losing sight of long-term over short-term pressures created a widespread call for new approaches. Foresight acknowledges the observable change while addressing the unknown. This workshop illuminates the value of foresight for 21st-century governments and explores ways to build resilience and seize future opportunities. We invite curious and determined policymakers, innovators and other civil servants interested in strategic foresight and policy innovation looking to improve their capacity to drive forward future-oriented policymaking.

Despite increasing engagement of governments in foresight, it often remains detached from the level of implementation. Structured around Demos Helsinki’s approach and learnings around the globe, the purpose of this workshop is to bridge this impact gap.

As no blueprint exists, shared exploration and collective intelligence show promising ways forward. Going beyond traditional foresight methods, strategic foresight is central to our approach. We engage participants in an interactive reinterpretation of their knowledge through a future lens. We will surface actions we can take today to secure long-term outcomes while humbly addressing future uncertainties. By challenging assumptions against alternative scenarios, we aim for more future-proof policies. We uncover overlooked constraints that could notably influence the outcomes of current actions.