• futures thinking...looking ahead

The Global Futures Network (GFN) is a free, community-edited, nonprofit Acceleration Studies Foundation (ASF) initiative to find and connect our planet's 1) foresight professionals, 2) future-oriented specialists, and 3) foresight/futures educators. This is a great way to network with others who understand the importance of futuring!

While the Olympics were being held in Beijing, China was also working on another very important project.  In partnership with Arup, a British design firm, the Chinese government is going to build an eco-friendly city.  The city, Dongtan, will be located on the island of Chiongmin on the Yangtze River and is scheduled to be finished by 2010.  

• applied foresight...using the perspective

In July 2008 at the UN Global Compact Summit in Geneva, the UN Secretary General and a group of committed business leaders enacted the CEO Water Mandate. The mandate, which is voluntary, proposes strategies for businesses  to develop ways to sustain our current global water supply.

• on the horizon...learning opportunities & events - local, regional and global

Recently FTR 100 earned the designation as a diversity course at Anne Arundel Community College (effective Fall 2008). Students seeking an associate's degree at AACC are required to earn 3 credit-hours in a diversity course. The study of the future, using its well-developed methodology, incorporates the many aspects of diversity, promotes awareness of social issues, and fosters effective citizenship. Although  Fall registration ends September 2, please keep the course in mind when registering for the Winter Session 2009 or Spring 2009.

Also, you can register for noncredit futures modules for professional development or personal enrichment now. These online modules may be taken alone or in combination. The modules are suitable for employers or educators looking for some background information to introduce their employees or students to futuring.

Registration is now open for the 2009 World Future Conference, "Innovation and Creativity in a Complex World". The conference will be in Chicago, IL, from July 17-19, 2009. If you would like to see some highlights from the 2008 Conference, click on  2008 World Future Conference and take a look.

Get a jump on the future with "The Art of Foresight" (PDF) produced by our partner the World Future Society.