Foresight visions embracing community-led and indigenous perspectives

Abstract

The field of foresight has evolved through insights from military strategy and planning, business and corporate strategy, systems theory, futurism and futurology, science fiction and speculative fiction, and Environmental Scanning and Trend Analysis. The private sector has also contributed to the development of the field to inform their long-term strategies. More recently, a stronger emphasis has been put on the diversification of approaches in relation to the call for sustainability transition and transformation, increased stakeholder participation, and the need to develop visions of alternative futures. Now, in the polycrisis era, the experiences and knowledge systems of Indigenous, Black, and marginalized communities of the Global South, building on decolonial scholarship and environmental justice highlight the potential for foresight approaches and practices to learn from and be informed by indigenous and local knowledge (ILK). Building synergies between ILK and scientific knowledge systems has been recognized as a key opportunity to move towards sustainable ecosystem governance at multiple scales. One result from engaging with this diversity of views is a more inclusive and socially just approach to foresight. Often overlooked, incorporating indigenous and local knowledge into various foresight methods, such as scenario planning, horizon scanning, the Delphi method, backcasting, technology foresight, and strategic foresight is crucial for deepening our understanding of emerging trends and future possibilities. This integration fosters the creation of community-led, transdisciplinary solutions. By recognizing and leveraging knowledge and practice embedded within indigenous communities, foresight practitioners can produce invaluable insights, enabling holistic and sustainable approaches to anticipating and navigating future changes and developments.