Visioning the steps inbetween

The event took participants on a compelling journey in the possible futures of human relations. It was divided into three phases.

Beginning from collective dystopic images that pervade our collective imagination (through cinema, video-games, mass-media, etc.) we approached the following questions: considering human relations in 2050, what sort of world would we not like to live in (undesirable future)? How may we push those undesirable futures away?

Through a systemic approach, we attempted to identify the processes that might lead to those undesirable futures. Using a back-casting exercise helped us to visualise the pre-conditions that might trigger negative dynamics in the future. During the session we progressively projected ourselves in 2040, in 2030 and back to the present, in order to identify compelling strategic choices of today to make undesirable futures less probable. Assuming that our drive to act comes not only from dystopic fears, but also from our aspirations, we focused on the personal contribution that each of us can give for a better future of human relations. The final exercise attempted to funnel our individual contributions towards a shared vision, invigorated by daring references and goals.

EVENT LEADERS

Rocco Scolozzi: PhD in Environmental Engineering, expert at spatial decision support system and system dynamics, facilitator in futures studies education and participatory modelling. Currently, research fellow and lecturer at Department of Sociology and Social Research (University of Trento, Italy), working with prof. R. Poli (UNESCO Chair in Anticipatory Systems) and co-founder of -skopia Anticipation Services® an innovative startup company of the University of Trento (www.skopia.it/en).Valerio Marco: Organisational consultant and physiotherapist, specialised in futures perception, behavioural studies and system analysis. He is also a member of -skopìa.