We are so excited to finally share the World Futures Day - Young Voices (WFD-YV) 2024 Post-Event Report. Access the full report here.
Background:
Starting 2021, Teach the Future organizes World Futures Day - Young Voices Edition every March 1st. For 24 hours, young people and futurists co-lead a session at every hour having conversations about the future. By spotlighting youth, we provide young people with a platform to share their ideas about the future with the world. WFD, first initiated in 2014 by the Millennium Project, a global foresight participatory think tank, hosts conversation for everyone on the future in collaboration with the Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Humanity+, and the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF).
WFD-YV 2024:
This year we saw 57 facilitators, 654 registrants, 72 countries, ages ranging from the youngest participant at 11 years of age to 87 years old, in sessions spanning all 24 time zones. The 24 sessions encompassed a wide array of topics and formats, exemplifying the global and multifaceted nature of futures thinking. These sessions, ranging from discussions on indigenous wisdom and reimagining aging to exploring the impacts of AI in education, Futures thinking with NASA and martian expeditions, the future of Quantum Cryptography, and the future of human rights, showcased the power of intergenerational dialogue. This intergenerational approach is at the heart of WFD-YV mission, recognizing that shaping our collective future requires the wisdom of experience combined with the fresh perspectives and boundless imagination of youth. Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and creative projects like video collages and futures card games. The passion driving WFD-YV is its global reach of volunteers, inclusivity, diverse session formats and multilingual presentations. By celebrating World Futures Day in this manner, the event not only explored crucial global challenges but also cultivated a sense of shared responsibility and optimism for our collective future, bridging generational gaps in the process.
24 Sessions:
#1: How elevating indigenous thought and process creates a more equitable future
Alice Dimond and Sam Wixon from Tokona te Raki will be leading this session on how elevating indigenous thought and process creates a more equitable future. We will explore Te Korekoreka, their indigenous social innovation framework that provides a guide to help examine the present, learn from your past, imagine a new future, and commit to a deliberate course of action that will enable you to shift from your current reality to a better one. We will explore the realms of Te Ao Tūroa, the longstanding world; Te Kore, the void of potential; Te Pō, the world of darkness, and; Te Ao Mārama, the new world of light and life. Join us to learn how to unlock the power of indigenous ancestral wisdom to create a better future for yourself and your community.
#2: Playful Ageing: Reimagining the Futures of Ageing from Case Studies to Co-Creation Workshop
Join us for a thought-provoking and hands-on exploration of ageing through the lens of futures thinking! Kaixin Li and Edmund Zhang will delve into two compelling case studies of applied futures thinking.
1. Artifacts for a world without ageing: Imagine a world without the limitations of ageing. What objects would reflect this reality? We'll envision artefacts that shape the daily lives, well-being, and interactions of individuals in this world.
2. Innovating heritage for the future: Can heritage be a springboard for a vibrant future for active ageing? We'll explore how traditional arts and heritage assets can be reimagined to empower and engage seniors.
💡Then we’ll open the floor to all participants in the co-creation workshop “Beyond the Tick-Tock.” What if ageing plays out beyond the ticking clock? We’ll flex futures thinking muscles together, getting our hands dirty and mind open from diverse perspectives. How might we reimagine and regenerate the futures of ageing, being, and caring collectively? Join us to play futures live!
#3: Youth Voices for the Future
Unpacking how our youth feel they have a voice but perhaps not the agency or authorising environment for change. How do we create the collective capacity for our youth to shape their own futures?
#4: Ocean Futures
As a visionary technologist using hands-on creativity in the field of Ocean Innovation, Cesar will share about how we could prototype several scenarios for sustainable ocean futures.
#5: How might we measure an effective education system of the future?
With PISA rankings as a primary measure of the effectiveness of education systems, standardisation emerges as a key factor in the 'success' of many countries. Yet with the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) future, the ability to adapt and deal with chaos is a critical capability for the future. How might we envision the type of education that the future needs? Let's explore within this session.
#6: Futures Literacy in K12 Education
Get ready for an exciting agenda presented by Year 8 and 9 students on the Futures Literacy course at St. Peters School, Barcelona. Join us for updates on the Program and Insights into the Foresight topics that the students have explored this semester, including STEEPLE, Futures Cone, SWOT, Signals of Change and much more. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with this next generation of futurists!
#7: Securing Tomorrow: Quantum Cryptography Unveiled
In the face of escalating data breaches, it's clear that our current encryption methods are susceptible to advanced threats. This session delves into the vulnerabilities of existing encryption protocols and sheds light on the game-changing impact of quantum cryptography. By unraveling the principles of quantum mechanics, we uncover the potential for unbreakable security through quantum key distribution. Join us as we envision a future where data confidentiality is fortified with unparalleled strength.
#8/9: Playing is not a plaything
The presentation is a report with pictures on the experience of the heart and mind opening programme with small children
#10: Let's Talk about Failure
In terms of the future, We hear a lot about success and leadership. Failure is an important part of any plausible future, but we rarely (if ever) talk about it. We will talk about perceptions about failure; why is it important and what does it mean for our future.
#11: Ready, Set, Future! What Skills Will Take You There?
Explore the key skills for tomorrow's world in "Ready, Set, Future!" This engaging session highlights the importance of critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and emotional intelligence. Through interactive discussions and reflections, participants will gain insights into becoming adaptable, lifelong learners ready to face future challenges. Perfect for anyone looking to future-proof their skill set and embrace the opportunities ahead. Join us to prepare for your journey into the future!
#12: Futures Literacy through Art: Lesson learned from kids in Kuwait
In this session, Dr. Manal Alhasawi will share her experience with teaching futures thinking to a group of 5-10 year olds in Kuwait during a one week camp. She discusses the key takeaways and future directions for teaching the future in Kuwait.
#13: Exploring the Impacts of AI in Education: A Futures Wheel Workshop
This session begins with an overview of how AI technology is being used in education, and introduces the Futures Wheel, a foresight tool that we can use to collectively explore the potential consequences of a certain decision, event, or trend over time. Attendees will learn how to use the Futures Wheel by contributing their ideas via Mural, a virtual whiteboard that enables real-time online collaboration.
#14: Igniting Futures: Today’s Teachers for New Tomorrows
In an increasingly digital and dynamic world, a critical re-evaluation of
what we teach and how we teach it is crucial. The gap between traditional curricula
and the skills needed for future success is widening and the place of teachers and
the value of the traditional education system are thus being challenged. Through
the session on Igniting Futures: Today’s Teachers for New Tomorrows, we hope to
spark a meaningful dialogue about the evolution of education and the tools teachers
need to shape a future-proof workforce.
#15: What's the future of human rights?
For this hour, we will envision possible human rights futures by exploring policy making, law making, leadership, AI, and education. As you think about possible futures for humans and non-humans, what must our leaders embrace to ensure people are protected as more of our lives are integrated with technology? Will the disenfranchised ever experience the fullness of life on this planet unencumbered by capitalist interests? What kinds of learning spaces are needed to cultivate the thinking and skills to ensure the rights for all of our planetary inhabitants?
#16: Creating The Future Through Education Innovation
An interactive session designed to activate young people to be a part of upgrading education & learning across the globe. Participants will engage with questions designed to spark curiosity around what education could be and how they might be empowered to make it so!
#17: [Spanish & English] Civic Participation for Better Futures: Two Case Studies in Medellín, Colombia
We will explain the IDGs and the SDGs, emphazising in #17 (Partnerships for the Goals). We will talk about the importance of civilians taking a major part in these, in order to have a better future. We want to make our session dynamic, for which, we will interact with the public through differeent platforms, as well as answering questions.
#18: The Future of Work in Space
Join us for an engaging interactive interview with Nicole, a Crew Support Systems Deputy at NASA Langley Research Center, hosted by Randi from Learner2Earner. Nicole will explore 'The Future of Work in Space', sharing her unique insights on the application of 'Futures Thinking' to Martian expeditions.
Additionally, Learner2Earner will present Work Modeling, an innovative method and tool for career invention. This segment of the program will highlight the pivotal stages of Nicole's career, providing a real-life demonstration of 'Futures Thinking'. Work Modeling offers a tangible way to conceptualize the future of work through this modern career development method. It provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of strategic career development and 'Futures Thinking', through insights from both Nicole’s experiences and Learner2Earner's forward-thinking method and tool.
#19: Present Actions to Build the Future
Combinando las experiencias de futuros aplicados en diferentes industrias, Lydia Caldana, Fabiola Mármol y Deyra Charles presentarán sus perspectivas en foresight, y cómo las practican en sus iniciativas con enfoques organizacionales y el emprendimiento, con énfasis en las nuevas generaciones
#20: [Portuguese] Women Futures: Intergenerational Dialogues
What advancements have been accomplished? What challenges remain? How can the experience of one generation empower the next? How can the fresh ideas of young generations inspire the old ones to create better futures where all women thrive?
Let's engage in active listening, foster understanding, and bridge the divides among women of all ages. You are invited to engage in active listening and catalyse connection with all generations.
#21: [Spanish] Entrepreneurship for Youth Empowerment in the Present & Future
The presentation brought together the diverse perspectives and experiences of three accomplished women - Lydia Caldana, Fabiola Mármol, and Deyra Charles - in exploring how present actions can shape and construct desirable futures.
Together, the facilitators wove a rich tapestry of insights, combining their applied experiences in various industries, organizational approaches, and entrepreneurship initiatives. The presentation explored practical strategies for integrating foresight methodologies into diverse contexts, with a particular emphasis on empowering and equipping new generations to become architects of their desired futures.
#22: Video Collage
This session featured a creative video collage project that invited members of the Young Voice Network to submit short video responses to a set of thought-provoking questions about the future. The project aimed to gather diverse perspectives and ideas from young people around the globe, compiled in a series.
#23: Creating The Future Through Education Innovation
The "Present of the Future" is a card game that introduces concepts of Future Studies and Speculative Design. In this workshop, participants exercise the creation of artifacts and future scenarios to inspire the foresight mentality and the possibility of thinking about more equitable futures. Developed in 2020, and presented at the UNESCO Futures Summit and other events, this game has already been played by hundreds of people around the world!
#24: Futures of Democracy with UNICEF Foresight Fellows
Join the UNICEF Youth Foresight Fellows as they share their experiences of working on the first ever youth-led section in the UNICEF Global Outlook report. The team engaged a global network of young people, asking them directly what topic the research should prioritize. Their response? The futures of democracy. In a session moderated by the UNICEF Youth Participation Specialist Adam Sharpe, Zahanath and Ijun will dive into their research journey, including how they did it, what key insights they gathered from their research, and why it’s important to include youth voices in this type of publications
#25: Living Preferred Futures, Today
The last session of world futures day will draw the day's discussion back home to YOU. The session will explore the connection of foresight with personal wellbeing and thriving. Drawing from principles of Zen Buddhism, the discussion will navigate how to create the conditions for presence, joy, and relationships with new futures becoming a natural consequence of these conditions. Participants will walk away with new ideas for how they can live their preferred future, today. There is also an exciting announcement that will be made!