Program

Last update: May 25, 2026

Day 2 - Friday, 4 September 2024

09:00 – 09:40: Asia Pacific Futures - Advancing People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace

Keynote 1: Sean Pillot de Checeney, Foresight Strategist & Bestselling Author. UK Associate Partner, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies and Innovation Strategist & Director of Public Affairs, World Futures Studies Federation

Keynote 2: Ms. Valery Wichman, Futurist, Cook Island

09:40 - 10:30 : Book Launches and Special publications 

Publication 1: Book by Stan Rodenborg

Publication 2: Special Edition edited by Dr. Sohail Inayatullah and Ms. Maryam Yousuf.  

Published by the Dubai Future Forum and the Journal of Futures Studies follows up on last year's issue, "Compass on What Makes a Futurist."  

Publication 3: Futures Thinking Playbook written by Dr. Shermon Cruz and Jezreel Larry Caunca

Publication 4: Planetary Cities: Future-Hacking the Urban, Eds. Dr. Jose Ramos and Dr. Bharat Dahiya 

Publication 5: Futures of our sea of islands -  A compendium of our voices across the Blue Pacific Continent 

Moderator: TBD

10:30 - 11:00 : Networking Coffee Break & Group Picture {Sasin Hall}

11:00 – 12:30 : 

Workshops C1: Two new approaches in Futures Thinking: The 4x4 Futures Matrix: Linking Possible Futures and Preferred Futures for Policy Strategy developed by Dr. Seongwon Park & What Are You Afraid to Ask? A Workshop on Critical Compass Inquiry by Dr. Shermon Cruz 

On the 4x4 Matrix

Conventional futures methods treat possible and preferred futures as separate exercises, leaving a critical gap: the strategic terrain where they diverge. Strategy lives in this tension. Building on the Manoa School's four generic images of the futures, the 4×4 Matrix crosses four probable futures with four preferred futures, generating sixteen positions. A second axis—whether actors hold or close the gap—yields twenty-eight actionable strategies. This workshop introduces the matrix, applies it to a policy case, and equips participants to use it in their own work.

On the Critical Compass Inquiry

The questions we avoid are often the ones that matter most. The Critical Questions Compass is a foresight method developed by Shermon Cruz that creates the conditions for honest and courageous inquiry — moving foresight practitioners, clients, and teams from scattered concerns to a strategic and unified challenge that shapes strategy, reveals blind spots, and unlocks the future. This workshop will also share actual cases where the method has been deployed in information technology, national security, science and technology innovation, real estate development, national youth policy, and university futures settings, among others. 

Workshops C2:  Developing Future Literacy: Approaches from Japan 

This session offers a compelling introduction to the evolution of futures studies in Japan—where it has come from, how it is practiced today, and where it may be heading next. It also explores a key challenge in the field: the gap between analytical foresight and participatory futures design, and why bridging them matters. Through a live workshop demonstration, participants will experience an approach that combines structured analysis with the perspectives of “good ancestors” and “future generations.” Join this session to discover how a more integrated form of “future literacy” can inspire practical action and fresh thinking across generations.   

Moderator: Mete Yasuji (Yazici), PsyD, Tokyo 

Workshops C3: Corporate Foresight in Thailand

C4: The Future is Care: Visioning Inclusive and Resilient Care Systems in Asia and the Pacific 

This parallel session will present key insights from ESCAP’s forthcoming publication "The Future is Care: Visioning Inclusive and Resilient Care Systems in Asia and the Pacific" which applies a strategic foresight lens to examine how demographic transitions, climate change, digital transformation, urbanization and inequality are reshaping the future of care across the region. Through an interactive dialogue, participants will reflect on how investments in the care economy and social protection measures can strengthen inclusion, resilience and social cohesion, while helping shape more equitable and people-centred futures. The session will explore emerging policy pathways and the choices governments face in adapting care systems to changing social, economic and demographic realities. It will also highlight the importance of anticipatory governance, integrated policy approaches and regional cooperation in building care systems that are fit for the future.

Moderator / Presenters: Cai Cai (Ms.), Chief, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section
Social Development Division & Dr. Katinka Weinberger, Chief, Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section at United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). 

Workshops C5: Seeing the Future Is Easier Than Acting on It -  Exploring the inner and institutional “boxes” that shape how we imagine and respond to the future

Futures thinking often focuses on external change — trends, signals, scenarios, and emerging disruptions. But less attention is given to the internal and institutional “boxes” through which people interpret, accept, resist, or act on those futures. This interactive workshop combines elements of systems thinking, experiential futures, and reflective facilitation using the BOX method. Participants will explore how assumptions, identities, cognitive biases, institutional narratives, and behavior under pressure shape which futures feel plausible, desirable, threatening, or even imaginable.Through individual reflection, paired dialogue, and group interaction, the session invites participants to examine why awareness of long-term challenges does not always translate into consistent action — even in organizations deeply engaged in foresight work.

Facilitator: Martin Venzky-Stalling, Thailand 

12:30 – 13:30 : Networking Lunch 

13:30 – 13:50 : Keynote 4: Peace

Dr. Ivana Mijojevic

13:50 - 15:15 : Parallel Workshops 

Workshop D1: Futures Bazaar

Description to be added

Facilitators: Dr. Jawn Lim and Khai Hong Sen

Panel D2: Pacific Futures

Workshop D3: 

Workshop D4: Corporate Foresight - Experiences from the field 

Workshop D5: Planetary Cities Workshop 

Facilitators: Dr. Jose Ramos and Dr. Bharat Dahiya 

15:15– 15:40 : Networking Coffee Break

15:40 - 16:45 : Asia Pacific Futures - Empowering People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace 

Reflections by Futurists

In this session we have invited colleagues to share in up to seven minutes thoughts, reflections, insights or strategies for a sustainable future and our role as futurists. 

Speakers:

• Dr. Seongwon Park, Founder and Managing Director 50000 Actions and current president of President of the Futures Studies Association of Korea , Seoul, Korea

• Dr. Shermon Cruz, Founder of Center of Engaged Foresight, Manila, Philippines

• Mr. Jost Wagner, The Change Initiative and APFN Chief Navigator, Bangkok, Thailand

• Dr. Elissa Farrow (TBC)

• Dr. Rathana Peou-Manns (TBC)

• Mr. Adam Sharpe (TBC)

Closing Reflection: Prof. Sohail Inayatullah, Chair of the APFN Steering Committee and Co-Founder of Metafuture

17:00 - 17:30 : Closing Remarks, Vote of Thanks, Outlook to APFN 13

Ms. Emily Sharp, APFN

Prof. Piyachart, Sasin School of Management