The Association of Professional Futurists (APF) is delighted to partner with OCAD University in The Futures of Creativity and Compassion. This is the first APF event in Toronto since 2010 and will gather together practitioners working at the intersection of futures, design, system change to explore transformational futures. The program will feature a dynamic blend of engaging panels, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees can look forward to thought-provoking experiential futures performances and unconference sessions for emergent conversations. These elements will provide a platform for participants to explore innovative approaches to creativity and compassion in future scenarios. The event will leverage OCAD University's expertise in art, design, and media education, as well as its commitment to fostering innovation across various disciplines.

In the complex, chaotic, and often contradictory present of our postnormal times, it is hard enough to think about the present, never mind the future. In Malaysia, under the premiership of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the MADANI Malaysia framework has provided a national platform for building futures literate policy and inculcating futures awareness throughout society. MADANI Malaysia takes a reformed approach to conventional policymaking that incorporates futures and foresight wisdom along with insights from the characteristics of postnormal times. The framework takes the entire enterprise of policymaking back to the core values that unite the diverse peoples of Malaysia as a way to lead a whole-of-society engagement with the future. Ziauddin Sardar and Scott Jordan will explain how the framework was developed along with its role in the present government of Malaysia. While tailored to the values and culture of Malaysia, it provides a model not just for regional organisations like ASEAN, now under the chairmanship of Malaysia, but by which other groups, institutions, or nations might take a similar approach to future oriented action.

What roles do creativity and compassion play in futures thinking and strategic foresight? In this newly rebranded APF Reading Club session, we invite you to an open hour of sharing and discussion centered on the book Designs for the Pluriverse: Radical Interdependence, Autonomy, and the Making of Worlds. This work was the second most-voted title during our inaugural APF Book Club session and has once again been recommended—this time by the APFxOCAD Futures of Creativity & Compassion organizing team. We see this as both a sign and a timely opportunity to delve deeper into The Futures of Creativity and Compassion through the lens of this thought-provoking book. *Special thanks to the APFxOCAD Toronto Gathering Team for their thoughtful and insightful recommendations. Full list of recommendations is available in the registraion page.

This talk explores two intertwined inquiries: the state of foresight in Bangladesh and the foresight of the State. The first reflects on how futures thinking has taken root—or struggled to—across government, development, and civil society, drawing on personal experience and recent gatherings like the SEApunk workshop. The second examines how the state envisions its future and how citizens might reclaim agency in shaping those visions. In a time of geopolitical flux and generational change, the talk invites reflection on the architectures of imagination, participation, and accountability needed to shape Bangladesh’s emerging futures.

Are you planning to apply for the APF IF Awards and have questions about the process? Join us for a live FAQ Session where we’ll walk you through key details of the application, including eligibility, evaluation criteria, submission tips, and deadlines. Session Agenda: - 2:00 - 2:40 p.m.: application questions concerning eligiblity, AI policy, and more. - 2:40 - 3:00 p.m.: technical questions concerning how to submit an application and material formats *Possible 10-15 mins session extension. This is your chance to hear directly from the organizing team and clarify anything you’re unsure about before submitting your application. Whether you're just starting or already working on your submission, we welcome all questions!

This Fireside Chat is about the biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment out of our recent book, The Possibility Wheel. It introduces you to the metaphor of ‘Backbones’ and how they can be maintained and rejuvenated to aid in resilience. The workshop will result in a list of Backbones – physical, Legal or conceptual – which are important to you all. It will discuss which are fractured, which are evolving, and which are functional. It will consider what would restore fractured Backbones, what would encourage Backbones to evolve, and what supports functional Backbones. This is an interactive session. Open for questions on Backbones, the book or anything else.

One interesting movement and community that coalesced last year is Seapunk (seapunk.asia)— a research-and-imagination movement and community interested in solarpunk imaginaries for Southeast Asia. Inspired by the region’s historical open common sea, and the emergent thriving decentralized ‘punk’ worlds it fostered, Seapunk gathered a few dozen thinkers, creators, and futurists for a two-week co-imagination camp and symposium exploring fresh solarpunk futures for Southeast Asia. This year continues the Seapunk journey with an upcoming research workshop on open distributed AI futures for Southeast Asia (seapunk.asia/ksw), the constellation of Seapunk Studios, and a continuing experiment on confluencing professional and amateur, community and method, inquiry and practice, and more. This session will feature sharings, reflections, and provocations from this sea of experiments with Sam Chua, the initial Seapunk curator.

The conversation will focus on the value of network design and network weaving. Networks are essential to futures thinking - not just to connect futures thinkers with each other but to connect present generations to generations past and future. If strategic foresight is “step one” in systemic transformation, network formation and strengthening is a critical step two. It’s only through forming partnerships and bridging divides that we can turn thought into action - turn insights into informed decision making. Networks are therefore key to creating change on a meaningful scale.

For over a decade, Dr Seongwon Park has worked with Korean citizens to explore the future using the "Four Images of the Future" methodology developed by the Hawaii Manoa School. These four future images encompass both possible and preferred futures. In futures workshops, participants first analyze the characteristics and trajectories of the four futures, then select one as the most likely outcome given current trends and another as their preferred future for future generations. By combining four possible futures with four preferred futures, citizens generate 16 unique future scenarios -- what he terms the "Four by Four Methodology" for future strategy development. In the discussion, Dr Park will share the broader context of how the practice of foresight has developed in South Korea.

The presentation draws on Brett’s experience over the last few years supporting national security planning for Pacific island nations through a range of capability uplift initiatives. Strategic foresight approaches have been useful to make national security planning more anticipatory and resilient in the face of dynamic geopolitical circumstances and a shifting risk landscape.

* APF Members receive early access and can register through the Member Event Page. Public registration opens on January 31st. Join us for an engaging conversation as we explore the key ideas behind Roman’s latest book and delve into meaningful discussions about futures thinking and hope in history. Roman would also like to invite participants to think about the question: "Where do you see hope in history?" We’ll start by welcoming everyone with an interactive check-in question to set the stage. Roman will then share the inspiration behind his book, its connection to futures thinking, and the key messages he wants to highlight. The session will include an open Ask Me Anything segment, allowing you to engage directly with Roman in a free-flowing conversation. Following this, we’ll break into smaller groups for discussions. To wrap up, we’ll highlight key takeaways and share next steps. For those who’d like to stay longer, Roman will join an informal after-hours chat to keep the discussion going. Don't miss this rich mix of learning, dialogue, and connection event.

Save the date! Kimberly Camrass is a Student Award 1st Place Winner PhD Category in 2024. You can read more about her submission here: https://www.apf.org/association/student-recognition-award/student-award-2024