This was the 11th annual meeting in our annual International Futures series. Taking a long term view, it explored the potential futures for cities, regions and communities past 2030. Regions and cities play a growing role in the international scene, from US states and climate change to London overtures to foreign talent. There is also a growing move towards city-level devolution, with cities as independent economic actors: the city of London, tax devolution, special economic zones etc.
This high level meeting convened policy planners and opinion formers, horizon scanners/futurists and academics alongside industry, think tanks and other experts from a range of countries. Through a mixture of plenary and breakout sessions, the roundtable informed policy planning, discuss implications of current trends and provide context for planning and decision making.
In particular it:
- Challenged senior level officials to consider alternative international mid and long term perspectives
- Provided insights into how different countries, organisations and actors plan for the future
- Tested the possibility of reaching a common understanding of long term trends and their implications for policy formulation and practical application
- Supported national and international policy planning institutions in their contribution to global dialogue in the context of the challenges to existing thinking
- Developed and deepen relationships with international partners, strengthening and consolidating the emerging networks of ‘futurists’
