11−12 June 2015 in Turku, Finland
This 17th International Futures Conference was organised by the Finland Futures Research Centre and the Finland Futures Academy in co-operation with World Futures Studies Federation, Otava Folk High School Co-Operative Society, The Finnish Society for Futures Studies and Turku University of Applied Sciences.
This conference gathered together 260 participants from 33 different countries. During the two days, altogether 119 presentations were held in 15 thematic sessions dealing with topics such as e.g. futures research methodology, different case studies, issues of futures education and learning, philosophy of futures studies, sustainable development and artistic futures work.
About the Theme
Managing wicked problem; realizing preferable futures; promoting collective or participative action; motivating, imaginative and creative futures; artistic or “manipulation for good” use of methods. Many activists consider that that the western value-free science is not able to handle wicked problems. It is important to focus on shared values or targets making collective action possible and dreaming of the impossible (visions, not just those developments considered to be possible), and backcasting that transforms impossible to possible. The empowerment of non-Western cultures and planetary inclusion. Artistic futures studies that focus on contrafactual futures: surprises, black swans, i.e., the unexpected events, developments, and consequences.
> Conference web site
Conference Publications:
- A topical collection on European Journal of Futures Research, Volume 3 (2015) . A short introduction and links to the articles presented by Osmo Kuusi, Kerstin Cuhls & Karlheinz Steinmüller.
- Futuuri Special Issue by Finland Futures Research Centre, University of Turku.