Meanjin Brisbane, venue for the second Oceania Futures and Foresight Symposium – an important gathering of futures practitioners from across the region. This Symposium is part of intentional work to grow futures practices that are uniquely from ‘down under’, reflecting our histories, time flows and world views. We are voyagers of the blue Pacific, connecting earth, sea and sky and coming together to navigate the future together.
The planning team of Elissa Farrow, Melissa Innes, Kathryn Maggs and Helene Barrie created a rich tapestry of opportunities over two days: Day 1: Collective Compass: Learning from our Ancestors and Day 2: Designing Transformational Futures. The symposium provided safe connections, opportunities for serendipitous conversations and a rich array of new ideas to support our work in the futures and foresight world. From the very beginning of welcome to country, Aunty Leanne Phillips provided us with the foundations to ground us into place, connection and energy.
Future from Oceania: Place, Culture, Continuity
The opening panel featured several key speakers who established foundational themes for the event. I found my mind darting in new directions, linking ideas together and navigating points of difference.
Alice Dimond discussed empowerment and agency, reminding us of the concept of “hope punk.” [I have written some more about hope punk here.]
Amy Knudsen emphasized collaborative approaches, challenging us: “don’t invite people to a set table, invite them to an empty table and get them to set it with you.”
Dr Marta Botta highlighted the importance of a historical perspective, noting that we “can’t have a sustainable future unless you learn from your past.” This reminded me of the unbounded futures thinking that I have written about previously and the Kawa of Te Korekoreka..
Dr Marcus Bussey explored human potential through what he called “the futures pheromone, the yearning to be better human beings.” Such a powerful metaphor and one that I will continue to explore. Marcus brings wisdom, spirituality and deep connection always.
Shadi Rouhshahbaz shared “Bani Adam” (Children of Adam), a 13th-century poem by Persian poet Saadi Shirazi. This reminded us that humanity and empathy matter. We are all connected and indifference to others’ suffering forfeits one’s humanity.
“Bani Adam” (English Translation)
Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,The name of human you cannot retain
The rich middle
There were so many conversations and experiences during the two days – far too many to share here! One highlight was meeting Claire Marshall and Amanda Reeves IRL rather than on a screen. These amazing people led us through a Mini Museum of Futures Art Futures Session and created an awesome art exhibition opening. Bringing these two futures talents together was pure magic. I am already thinking about how this links with growing a learning city, storytelling and the futures barometer.
A New Social Contract: Deep Participation at the Twilight of Democracy
Adam Sharp closed the Symposium, sharing a small sliver of his experiences in working with young people. Adam is such a powerful leader in the futures space, especially with his vast experience in youth-led approaches, deep change and global projects. His opening challenge: “foresight as usual is not enough.”
This powerful quote from his work with the Bagmarti River project resonated: “you cannot have a vision of a future you have never been allowed to believe in.” He reminded us that if in order grow future generation conversations we must provide tangible examples so people can connect based on their own experiences, their children, grandchildren. No jargon!
We only scraped the surface of Adam’s experience but you can get a glimpse of this with the UNICEF Future Child Personas Playbook.
Quick quotes:
“a continuous unlearning journey” Rachelle Cooper Kulkarni and Futures Alchemy as “the deliberate powerful change that involves us”….”the call within us.”
“the earliest sounds were not voices.” Elizabeth Znidersic addressed changes in the sonic world in her lightning talk Learning from Nature: The Art of Listening for a Resilient Future.
“Put time into asking ‘what if’” “Our job is to make people look.” Joanna Lepore and Daria (Dasha) Krivenos – fireside chat Insights from Oceania from the Copenhagen Institute of Futures Studies.
Some quotes from AI in an Algorithmic Age: what can we not afford to sacrifice panel of Jess Price, Ruth Lewis, Dr Rob Leach, Aimee Ross Taylor (can’t remember who said what!)
- “we’re not anti tech, we’re pro future.”
- “you can’t change something if you don’t understand it.”
- “authentic identity versus algorithmic identity” Jess Price
- “a new standard, my terms”, “how is your company using your data? “emulated empathy” and “the right to be human.” Ruth Lewis
A special thanks
I would also like to acknowledge two very important colleagues Alice Dimond and Amy Knudsen. Alice and Amy travelled with me from Ōtautahi Christchurch and shared space with me over the two days. They both presented workshops and contributed to panel conversations. We are lucky to have them in our city!
Next steps
I have linked the speakers that I mentioned so you can easily find some of the other people in the Oceania network. We are not competing. We are growing the tribe. If you are in the Oceania region and want to be part of growing the future or find our more about my work get in touch.
And now it is full steam ahead for the Aotearoa Futures Forum! Planning is well under way to continue the conversations with an action packed day on June 19 in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Again, this is intentional wayfinding our way into Oceania futures.
Cheryl Doig | Futures Aunty
this is intentional wayfinding our way into Oceania futures
Find out more at https://www.learningcitychristchurch.nz/events/aotearoa-futures-forum