Future forward and...beyond

In our fast-paced world, every day, policymakers face the critical challenge of making informed decisions that will shape the future. To meet this challenge head-on, the development of foresight and anticipation skills is essential. 

However, futures literacy skills are not limited to policymakers alone. Here at the EU Policy Lab, we recognise the importance of equipping everyone, including teachers, young people, and the curious, with the tools to navigate the complexities of the future.

This is how we created Future Forward, a 20-lesson program developed in collaboration with TED-Ed and foresight experts which offers an accessible crash course in futures literacy.

Visit the website and take your first steps into the future

Future Forward takes participants on a captivating exploration of the future, encouraging them to challenge assumptions and imagine alternative futures. Through dynamic animations and videos, this course nurtures a futures mindset, offering multiple perspectives on pressing issues of this century. It fosters critical thinking, ignites imagination, and empowers individuals to take an active role in creating a better tomorrow. Armed with the skills and tools acquired throughout the course, participants can contribute to shaping our collective future through tangible actions, which is extremely important, especially for younger generations. 

Educators and teachers play a crucial role in shaping the next generation. By embracing future thinking, they become catalysts for change, creating engaging learning environments that foster critical thinking, collective engagement, and empower students to envision and co-create a better world. Given the complexities of the present, futures literacy is not just a "nice to have" skill set: it is a necessity for everyone in our rapidly changing world.

The Future Forward initiative provides a valuable platform for educators and students to dive into the world of foresight. By embracing future thinking, teachers unlock their potential as change agents, while students gain the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a complex future.

Apart from our fruitful collaboration with colleagues in the Directorates-General for Education and Research, we would equally like to thank our foresight expert co-creators, with whom we collaborated on the development of this course, coming from World Futures Studies Federation, Teach the Future, Next Generation Foresight Practitioners, Association of Professional Futurists and UN global Pulse. 

For those seeking to delve deeper into foresight and connect with specialists across Europe, the new futures4europe platform offers an opportunity to expand knowledge and engage with other specialists in the field. 

Additionally, the #OurFutures project is still accepting submissions. Head to the platform to get inspired by other people’s visions for the future and share your ideas, hopes, and dreams for a better tomorrow. By participating, you can contribute to EU policymakers' efforts in shaping our shared futures.  

Find out more about the project on the Competence Centre on Foresight website.

Featured image by Joshua Coleman on Unsplash