Sri Lankan Futures: Flying Hope

June 11, 2019 by Steve Gould

This year I had the pleasure of working with the Asian Development Bank again. My involvement in Sri Lanka was was to explore Sri Lankan Technical Vocational Education & Training (TVET) Futures 2030. Key stakeholders agreed in 2018 to explore the notion of how to develop a new 2030 vision through the process of Futures Thinking (FT). After, consideration of timing, costs and which participants would be required, a ‘Special International Expert Workshop/ Session’ was proposed. This was supported by the Secretary, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons and Co-operative Development and Vocational Training & Skills Development to develop new thoughts, new visions for TVET 2030.

Dr Gi Soon Song, Principal Social Sector Specialist, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB) was designated to lead the foresight proposition as the main project manager. In her consultations with Professor Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Chair for Futures Studies, Dr Song suggested that Futurists conduct a two-day foresight workshop. Further, after subsequent consultations between Professor Inayatullah and Dr Gi Soon Song, it was decided to recruit two additional facilitators to support the project. Mr Steve Gould from Steve Gould Futures (Australia) and Ms Adelle Cachia (South Africa) were both recruited based on previous international experiences with facilitation of foresight methodology under the United Nations work in Africa in 2018.

TVET 2030

Reflections by Steve Gould

In synthesising the workshop data generated from the futures analysis, four (4) possible / preferred futures become apparent. These futures were expressed as four (4) scenarios and were: –

  1. Lifelong Learning TVET (As a metaphor: A hatchery of innovation eggs);
  2. Customized and Flexible TVET (As a metaphor: A buffet of skills training and programs)
  3. Business Inc TVET (As a metaphor: Flying like an Eagle spotting next gen opportunities);
  4. Shapeshifting pattern makers TVET (As a metaphor: Networked Drones and Drone Operators)

Beyond the ‘I’ at the expense of the ‘we’ futures

However, our best futures need not compete! Rather, our best or even our individual futures can be further synthesized and integrated into an inclusive singular future. So in the case study of TVET 2030 Futures, this means distilling the above 4 scenarios or choices for the future into one collective vision. Each can be understood as an independent futures, separated from each other, yet can constitute as elements or characteristics of an integrated, cohesive and inter-dependent future. Thus, four (4) future intents becomes one (1) singular collective intent. When the workshop participants further synthesised their preferred futures, they came up with a collective ‘Adaptive TVET 2030 Future’. This must reflect all four desired futures as elements of the whole adaptive TVET future 2030 or risk invoking a latent destroyer. Meaning, unless I can see myself, my preferences, my identity within the Adaptive TVET 2030, I will resist being annihilated by this preferred future. Oh yes ..you ask what was their vision for TVET 2030? well….: –

“Lifelong learning and innovation cultures, products and services which provide customised, inclusive digital networks and business skills training”