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Contributors to Futures Sciences
This is a list of everyone we can find who has something meaningful to offer futures sciences; it is always growing.
Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace (CCTP) www.peace.ca are promoting a successful, results-oriented web site: 1. to motivate individuals, the general public, government, nongovernment agencies, and business in a large way, to reduce violence and crime at: (i) the individual level, (ii) family level, (iii) community level, and (iv) world level; 2. to provide a business-like, focused approach to achieve peace goals; 3. to raise awareness, use new information technology, teach, learn, network, work plan, recognize achievement, and act locally and globally. We believe to dramatically increase our achievements globally, we must start with our own education and use an information based approach to change individual and organizational behaviours and attitudes. What we learn at one level (eg. individual) we can apply at other levels (eg. family, community, world). Finally, we are driven by one thing: to make this world better for our children. The long term objectives of CCTP include: 1. developing a virtual centre for teaching peace, information dissemination and networking; 2. developing "partnerships for peace" between individuals, government, nongovernment agencies, and business; 3. activate individuals, the general public and organizations to reduce violence and crime; 4. raise peace awareness, education, networking, recognition; 5. focus approach to achieve peace goals and results [see Overview].
For more information, contact
Robert Stewart, Director
Box 70, Okotoks, Alberta
T0L 1T0
tel: 403-461-2469; fax 309-407-6576; email stewartr@peace.ca
THE SMART TECHNOLOGY BLOG
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE General Studies (GNST) 201 (L07) CANADA AND THE FUTURE - This course is an interdisciplinary seminar on Canada’s future using the approaches pioneered by Future Studies. These approaches blend linear projections of current trends with speculation (science fiction) and options impact assessments. The course examines major areas that are expected to undergo change in the next twenty years. Among the topics that will be examined are globalization and the new world economic order, technology’s impact on national identity, demographic projections, changing social values among generations, the nature of work and community, and a host of specific topics. Among the specific topics are the future of Canadian sports, medicare, culture, politics and environmental issues. When change is viewed as a permanent condition of post-industrial society it becomes a key factor in many levels of decision-making from the personal to the macro-economic. When students better understand the nature of change, they also often see more opportunities for their lives and ways to better influence the future that is being created.
APPLIED FORESIGHT NETWORK
The seminal Applied Foresight Network (AFN) is a global web of university-based centres connected by a network of forums for professors, students, teachers, and concerned citizens. The AFN supports informed discussion and social action on issues of critical importance to the future of humanity. The Applied Foresight Centers and the AFN Forums build on Futures Studies traditions of multidisciplinary perspectives thinking and enhance this capacity with transdisciplinary dialogue supported by the latest in academic research.
CENTER FOR FUTURE STUDIES (CFS) was formed in 1996 to assist organisations in understanding what the future may hold in store, and through that knowledge to enable them to make better strategic decisions today about their preferred tomorrow. Over the past nine years, the Centre has gained international recognition as an authoritative source of knowledge about key trends and developments in business and society. CFS works in close collaboration with the University of Kent. (UK)
http://www.futurestudies.co.uk/
COPENHAGEN INSTITUTE FOR FUTURES STUDIES
Contributing with knowledge and inspiration, the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies supports decision-making. We identify and analyse trends that influence the future nationally and internationally. Through research, analyses, seminars, presentations, reports, and newsletters, we give advice on the future.
The objective of the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies is to strengthen the basis for decision-making in public and private organisations by creating awareness of the future and highlighting its importance to the present.
DAVINCI INSTITUTE
Launched in 1997 as a non-profit futurist think tank, the Institute has emerged as a center of visionary thought, attracting both a national and international following of idea junkies and business leaders alike.
Unlike Leonardo DaVinci, the Institute set its sights on producing tangible results as opposed to just conceptual thinking. The founders decided that they didn’t just want to talk about the future - they wanted to help unlock the future, one idea, one invention, one business at a time. With this directive, the Institute began educating aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs with the critical skills necessary to make their projects viable.
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/index.php
EUROPEAN MONITORING CENTRE ON CHANGE
Covers futures in a variety of sectors, including publishing, textiles, transportation, and, most recently, the performing arts.
http://www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int/index.htm
FUTURE BRIEF http://www.futurebrief.com
Like a clipping service for futurists, this online publication offers brief stories on important trend areas (Science and Technology, Society and Politics, Conflict and Security), pulled from news sources such as the New York Times, CNN, and Wired.
A free service of New Global Initiatives Inc., a consulting firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, Future Brief also offers commentaries from such futurist thinkers as technology expert Jeff Harrow of The Harrow Group, Moscow-based financial analyst Peter Lavelle, political scientist Sohail Inayatullah of Tamkang University, and Center for Responsible Nanotechnology co-founders Chris Phoenix and Mike Treder.
Polls, event listings, resource links, and other services are also offered on the site. Future Brief describes itself as "an organic, growing resource center" on issues stemming from the convergence of technologies--nanotech, biotech, information, and cognitive sciences.
FUTURECASTS is an online magazine that boasts "Tomorrow's News Today!" It divides its futurecasts into several categories including economic, military, middle east, and international futurecasts.
HAWAII RESEARCH CENTER FOR FUTURES STUDIES (HRCFS) is one of the oldest and best-known futures-oriented academic research institutes in the world. Located within the Department of Political Science of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the HRCFS, through research and consultation, enables individuals, communities, government agencies, and business organizations to examine possible and preferred futures. The HRCFS assists in the development of visions, foresight, and strategic plans. It helps groups develop their own abilities to identify future trends and emerging issues, and to understand their potential impacts. The HRCFS enables groups to attain their preferred futures, assisting them in achieving a better tomorrow not only for themselves, but for everyone they touch.
http://www.futures.hawaii.edu/
INSTITUTE FOR ETHICS AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
The Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies was founded in 2004 by philosopher Nick Bostrom and bioethicist James J. Hughes. The IEET is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the United States. The IEET’s Board of Directors currently come from Spain, Canada, the UK and the United States. The IEET will also be served by a Board of Advisors, which is now being formed.
By promoting and publicizing the work of thinkers who examine the social implications of scientific and technological advance, we seek to contribute to the understanding of the impact of emerging technologies on individuals and societies. We also want to help shape public policies that distribute the benefits and reduce the risks of technological advancement. The Institute works closely with the World Transhumanist Association, an international membership-based nonprofit organization with similar goals, also founded and chaired by Dr. Bostrom, and which is also served by Dr. Hughes as its Executive Director.
KurzweilAI.net
KurzweilAI.net features the big thoughts of today's big thinkers examining the confluence of accelerating revolutions that are shaping our future world, and the inside story on new technological and social realities from the pioneers actively working in these arenas.
We are witnessing intersecting revolutions in a plethora of fields: biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular electronics, computation, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, virtual reality, human brain reverse engineering, brain augmentation, robotics, and many others. The leading visionaries represented on this site examine these transforming trends and their profound impact on economics, the arts, politics, government, warfare, medicine, health, education, disabilities, social mores, and sexuality.
METAFUTURES.ORG
How will aging transform societal structures?
What are the futures of risk management?
What are our health futures?
Hosted by Sohail Inayatullah and Ivana Milojevic, this site explores these and many more futures-oriented issues. Along with articles by Inayatullah and Milojevic, you can access material by leading futures-oriented scholars living in Australia and New Zealand.
www.metafutures.org/index.html
THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT provides an international capacity for early warning and analysis of global long-range issues, opportunities, and strategies. It was initiated by the The Futures Group International, and the United Nations University (UNU). Since 1996, about 1,500 futurists, scholars, decisionmakers, and business planners from over 50 countries contributed with their views to the Millennium Project research.
The Project was created through a three-year feasibility study funded by the U.S. EPA, UNDP, and UNESCO. This study, to which participated over 200 futurists and scholars from about 50 countries, concluded that the purpose of the Project should be to assist in organizing futures research, up-date and improve global thinking about the future, and make that thinking available through a variety of media for consideration in public policy making, advanced training, public education, and feedback to create cumulative wisdom about potential futures. Today, the Project accomplishes these ends by connecting individuals and institutions around the world to collaborate on research to address important global challenges.
REGENT UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES
MASTERS OF STRATEGIC FORESIGHT: A new master's of arts program is being launched by Regent University's School of Leadership Studies. The fully accredited online study program in futures studies will begin with the fall 2006 semester. The program will be coordinated by Jay
Gary and will build on the expertise of such futurist educators as Peter Bishop and Wendy Schultz.
DETAILS: Regent University,
http://www.regent.edu/acad/sls/newsandevents/spotlight/msf.htm
STRATEGIC FORESIGHT GROUP
Strategic Foresight Group is a think tank that conducts research and launches policy change initiatives to help decision makers to anticipate and influence the future in uncertain times.
Areas of Expertise:
Strategic Foresight Group specializes in Global Security, counter -terrorism, West-Islam relations, religious extremism, socio-economic development, conflicts, energy, international relations, emerging world order, in the areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, South Asia, Central Asia, Gulf, United States, through Scenario planning, track two diplomacy, conflict resolution and in long term perspectives.
TREE HUGGER
TreeHugger is a fast-growing web magazine, dedicated to everything that has a modern aesthetic yet is environmentally responsible. Their influential audience stops by frequently to check out the latest news, reviews and recommendations for modern yet green products and services. Consumers also rely on the directory to help facilitate their buying processes. TreeHugger is an effective way for them to find well designed products that are also ecologically sensitive.
TREND HUNTER
An online magazine that follows the most recent fads and developments. It has a lot of content, and is a good source of information on the latest technology.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE
The
Futures Studies program teaches a unique online/on-campus curriculum
emphasizing foresight, creativity, and innovation for the future. It is
one of a handful of freestanding degrees in futures studies in the world
and has graduates students from more than 20 countries. The program is
fully online, so it is not necessary to relocate. It provides a high-tech
and high-touch online experience is linked to and blended with physical
campus classes.
http://hsh.cl.uh.edu/futureweb/
WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY is a nonprofit, nonpartisan scientific and educational association with some 30,000 members worldwide. Membership in the Society, including a subscription to THE FUTURIST magazine and numerous other benefits, is just $45 per year. For more information on the Society and all its programs, publications, and services, contact Membership Director Susan Echard, sechard@wfs.org, or visit http://www.wfs.org. Also see Peace and the Future.
FUTURIST UPDATE: News & Previews from the World Future Society is an e-mail newsletter published monthly as a supplement to THE FUTURIST magazine.
To subscribe, send an e-mail message to mailto:majordomo@wfs.org with "subscribe futurist-update" in the BODY of the message.
WORLD FUTURES STUDIES FEDERATION is a forum where the stimulation, exchange, and examination of ideas, visions, and plans for alternative, long-term futures can take place. The Federation promotes and encourages futures studies as well as innovative interdisciplinary analysis and critique by:
- Promoting a higher level of futures consciousness in general
- Stimulating cooperative research activities in all fields of futures studies
- Planning and holding regional and global futures studies conferences and courses
- Encouraging the democratization of future-oriented thinking and acting
- Stimulating awareness of the urgent need for futures studies in governments and international organizations, as well as other decision making and educational groups and institutions, to resolve problems at local, national, regional, and global levels.
- Assisting local and global futures research activities; encouraging responsibility for future generations.
The WFSF seeks to assure complete freedom of activity and
discussion among its members and within the Federation. To achieve this
goal, the Federation seeks close cooperation with educational, scientific,
cultural, artistic, and other institutions, associations, and
organizations in all fields of futures studies, especially within the
United Nations family.
http://www.wfsf.org/index.shtml
WORLD TRANSHUMANIST ASSOCIATION
FOR THE ETHICAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO EXTEND HUMAN CAPABILITIES
http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/index/
The World Transhumanist Association is an international nonprofit membership organization which advocates the ethical use of technology to expand human capacities. We support the development of and access to new technologies that enable everyone to enjoy better minds, better bodies and better lives. In other words, we want people to be better than well.
The WTA was founded in 1998 by the philosophers Nick Bostrom Ph.D. and David Pearce. Its first task was organizing an international group of transhumanists to write the Transhumanist Declaration, published in 1998, and the Transhumanist Frequently Asked Questions, published in 1999. In 2002 the WTA incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Connecticut in the United States.
WORLDWATCH
The Worldwatch Institute offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends. Our work revolves around the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially just society—and how to achieve it.
Your Futures Resource