Futures

Futures

We explore future possibilities to support resilience and innovation in Calgary. 

We connect with Calgarians to imagine different futures
that improve social resilience through our
futures literacy initiatives.

We collaborate with City of Calgary teams to support planning
and decision-making that is informed by future possibilities
through our strategic foresight services.

Futures with Calgarians

Futures literacy: Being able to think about different futures helps us make better choices today. It shows us what could happen and helps us aim for better futures. We do this by being creative and working together, which makes our communities more resilient.

We strengthen futures literacy in four ways:

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1. Collective futures conversations

A monthly virtual meet-up to discuss future scenarios and brainstorm resilience actions.

  • Format: Virtual on Zoom​
  • When: Third Tuesday of every month from noon – 1:15pm MST​

2. Futures literacy 101 workshops

An introductory workshop to discover how to use early signs of change, trends, stories, and games to imagine different futures and find resilient actions. ​

  • Format: In person or virtual​

3. Futures literacy labs

A special workshop where people come together to imagine different futures focused on one topic. This process helps us see the present in new ways and come up with creative ideas to make better choices today and in the future.  Learn more by watching Futures Literacy: Shaping your Present by Reimaging Futures from Ted.com.

  • Format: In person or virtually​

4. Community futures sandbox

Spaces where people come together to imagine better futures. These spaces help us figure out the steps we need to take to make these better futures come true.

  • Format: In person​

Futures with The City of Calgary

We help The City and its employees look into new developments and disruptions. We also explore future possibilities and create strategies to support proactive, resilient, and future-ready services for Calgarians.

What is strategic foresight?

Strategic foresight is the ability of an organization to constantly perceive and make sense of different ideas of the future. It also involves acting upon these ideas as they emerge in the present.

The Resilience & Futures team helps The City: 

Explore emerging developments

To enhance understanding of long-term implications, risks, and opportunities.

Envision future possibilities

To promote emergence and innovation.

Develop strategies and frameworks

To improve adaptability, agility, and readiness for the future.

How do we use strategic foresight?

  • The future as a mindset

    Opportunities to learn about the strategic foresight approach and how to practice it.

  • The future as information

    Research projects to uncover emerging developments and their long-term implications.

  • The future as a sandbox

    Generating and testing ideas against various future possibilities to reduce risks in proposals.

  • The future as a process

    Customized foresight tools and methods to embed in planning processes.

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