The future of power: implications for global actors by 2040 (WP1294)

The 7th annual Wilton Park Futures meeting, in association with Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, National Intelligence Council, considered what power means in the future, looking out to 2040. With a focus on future trends, challenges and opportunities, this high level, off the record meeting convened policy planners, horizon scanners/futurists and academics alongside industry and subject experts from a range of countries.

Through a mixture of plenary and breakout sessions, this meeting:

Assisted senior level officials to consider international perspectives on the implications and impact of the nature of power by 2040
Provided insights into how different countries, organisations and actors plan for the future
Contributed to work leading up to the HMG Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in 2015
Informed discussion towards the US National Intelligence Council’s Global Trends Report 2035
Assisted participants to reach 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’

Key topics included:

How power will be manifested: levers and layers; north-south shifts, single states and emerging alliances
Multi-lateral/regional institutions: longevity and relevance of existing bodies;
Norms and obligations
Non state actors: global corporates, citizens and cities
Drivers: including demographics, social media, shifting wealth