Over the past eight years i have facilitated futures thinking in many diverse contexts. What i have noticed is how each of these groups/clients all ‘get it!’ Specifically, when it comes to learning other ways of knowing the future. What I have witnessed is their high levels of commitment to process, a willingness to do the work of introspection, to question that which has been legitimized. I have witnessed their critique of the un-examined, the un-questioned and disowned with sensitivity, intelligence and compassion. There is intention in their desire to create relational spaces. Spaces to become vulnerable, to wobble our certainties, to compare and contrast in the safety of peers. We all come to futures thinking for different reasons, motives and contexts. Contexts of crisis, survival or simply to learning how to adapt.
No matter what the client motives are, there is courage in all my clients! Most want to transform, learn, and question the past, present….. to make the imagined possible! Others, it may be a question of timing, when ought i question my schema, maybe later…… Either way all are courageous! Courageous to question that which make us comfortable and familiar, so that we may become better versions of ourselves, better companies, better countries.
A second observation is how transferable futures thinking concepts are globally. I have had the privilege to facilitate (at times with an interpreter) many diverse cultures across the globe including delegates from Africa, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Papua New Guinea. In all these consultating circumstances, the narrative of why, what and how to question the future is understood and competency is quickly acquired. Therefore, futures thinking is an accessible phenomena which has many interpretative exit and entry points, no matter whom, where or how we come to know futures….
These are some of the courageous…..!
‘Futures thinking for Innovation’, Futures thinking workshop, NSW Government: Office of the Environment & Heritage: Science Division; Sydney, Australia,
‘Foresight Education’, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations – Africa
‘Leadership in Foresight’, Keynote address to AHISA (Australian Heads of Independent Schools Australia) QLD Branch at Cannon Hill Anglican College, Brisbane.
‘Visioning Noosa Shire Council 2025’, facilitation of 3 x day foresight visioning workshop, Noosa Council, Sunshine Coast Australia.
‘Futuring Montessori Australia’, Facilitation of Montessori Australia 2 x day National Summit at Uluru – Ayers Rock, Australia,
‘Tool & Methods in Uncertain Times: Preparing, Adapting & Innovating for National Disability Insurance Futures; Facilitation of 6 x regional foresight workshops across Queensland, National Disability Services, Brisbane,
‘Futures thinking for education’ Workshop & presentation to Fairholme College School Faculty & Board, Toowoomba, Queensland,
‘Digital Legal Futures’, Facilitation of Strategic Foresight workshop for Justice Services Division in development of Digital strategy, Justice Services | Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Government, Brisbane,
‘Exploring the future of St Vincent De Paul Gold Coast Dioceses’ Facilitation of Strategic Foresight workshop for St Vincent de Paul South East Diocese, Saint Vincent De Paul, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia,
‘The Future thinking effect’, Facilitation of futures thinking workshop in Brisbane for Executive, Board staff from Burnie Brae Aged Care, Brisbane, Queensland,
‘The futures of Libraries’; Presentation to Queensland State Library President 100 circle, Brisbane, Australia;
‘Futures thinking, Land & coastal care’, Key note presentation at Regional Landcare Bush Care Forum, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Sydney,
‘The futures of community transport’, Key note address for Queensland Community Transport Industry Association on at Twin Waters Resort.
‘Charting our Path to the Future 2025’, Forum facilitation at the Community Services, Queensland Government, Department of Communities; Office of Community Sector & Industry, Brisbane.
‘Futures thinking for school leavers’, Think Prepare & Plan Conference Townsville, Centacare, Brisbane,
“Strengthening Indonesian Research Capacity to Enhance National Programs and Evaluations, MOHA (Indonesia)” Futures thinking workshop for International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia.
‘Introduction to Leadership and Decision Making for the Gili Islands, Lombok. Indonesia’, AusAID Developing Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Management of Coastal Destinations in Lombok program, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
‘Possible scenarios for Peak Bodies Qld Community Services Sector 2025’, Peak Bodies Health Services Sector Queensland; 2-day workshop, Brisbane, Dec 2013 and Jan 2014.
‘The future visions for Dwp|suters Futures 2040’, Strategic foresight 2-day workshop, Sydney NSW.
‘Developing a Community of Practice – Climate Change and Sustainability Transformative Education’, USC Sustainability Research Centre & Office of Learning & Teaching, workshop facilitation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia.
‘Futures thinking National Disability Services, with NDIS policy reforms’, National Disability Services, Brisbane.
‘Health & Community Service Futures: Where will the health and community services industry be in 30 years’ time?’, Key note address for Workforce Council Queensland, South West Queensland Regional Workforce Development Forum, Toowoomba.
‘Applying futures thinking to Strategic planning’, facilitation of strategic planning workshop, Blackall Range Independent School, Blackall Range, Sunshine Coast Queensland.
‘Developing Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Management of Coastal Destinations in Lombok program’, facilitated future thinking to leadership research & community leaders for the Gili Islands, Lombok. Indonesia, AusAID project for International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia.
‘Facilitation Skills for Trainers’, Presentation to Building Leadership and Management Skills for Community Empowerment, Indonesia study tour, Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs Development of Officials and Training Leaders, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Strategic Futures’, Presentation to Advancing Policy and Planning for E-Learning in Ugandan Teacher Training study tour, Australian Leadership Award Fellowship, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Strategic Foresight’, Presentation to Building e-Health Capacity for Community Nursing in Indonesia study tour, AusAid, Australian Leadership Award Fellowships, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Understanding and Influencing the process of change’, Presentation to Building Leadership and Management Capacity of University Centres in Mongolia study tour, AusAid, Australian Leadership Award Fellowships, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Leadership’, Presentation to Developing Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Management of Coastal Destinations in Lombok study tour, Australian Leadership Award Fellowship, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Sunshine Coast.
‘Strategic Futures Scenarios for Integrated Coast Area Management Planning’, Workshop Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) Soc Trang province, Republic of Vietnam.
‘Unpacking the Lifeline Narrative-Futures of Service Delivery for Lifeline Community Care’, Facilitator –Queensland, State Conference, Lifeline, Ipswich Queensland.
‘Leadership and Decision Making, Presentation to Building Executive Knowledge and Leadership Capacity in Cambodian Coastal Tourism study tour, Australian Leadership Award Fellowship, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
‘Managing Change as a leader of school improvement’, Presentation to Building Executive Knowledge and Leadership Capacity of School Principals and Vice- Principals of Papua Province, Indonesia study tour, Australian Leadership Award Fellowship, International Projects Group, University of the Sunshine Coast.
