APF Asian Brown Bag Series #3 - State of Foresight and Foresight of State in Bangladesh

About the Session: 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.

About the Speaker: Shakil Ahmed is a futurist, educator and storyteller at Ridiculous Futures. He is pursuing his PhD in Foresight in Educational Leadership and Technology Management at Tamkang University, Taiwan. He has explored the futures of financial inclusion in Nigeria, the futures of Chiang Mai and

its digital nomad community, and the futures of education with the Prime Minister's Office in Bangladesh. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Theoretical Physics at the National University of Singapore and his Master's degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement at BRAC University.