EC
At a time when the new European Commission announced that it will concentrate on bold initiatives, it is important to recall that any policy decision has complex ra-mifications. Indeed, an increasing number of decisions affect several policy portfolios, and they need to take into account an increasing number of parameters, like geo-politics, economics, finance, security, health, environment, climate change, sociology, urbanisation, ageing society, and integrate funda-mental European social values such gender equality and ethics. In ad-dition, the technological breakthroughs are accelerating as never be-fore in history and social innovation (e.g. social media) augments the speed of information gathering and dissemination.
Because societies become ever more complex, collaborative long-term anticipation must replace the silo thinking habits and the short-termism that has characterised many aspects of policy-making in Europe.
Foreseeing is not sufficient anymore because it is only a tactical ex-trapolation of current trends; it is the future of the past. Foresighting however is strategic because it is based on more disruptive views; it is about the future of the future.
But foresight needs also to become more integrated and collabora-tive, using coproduction of knowledge by means of concurrent de-sign approaches. These will foster anticipatory and more consistent policies and thus lead to more visionary governance.
‘The rougher the seas the more connected watch-towers are needed’.
Europe invented the modern World despite a resource poor continent because we used the most precious resource we have: our brains. Eu-rope’s real strength lies in its diversity that is a powerful driver of in-novation. Where different minds meet, there is inspiration. This is why the network of foresight experts has such a great potential. It is an excellent way to obtain a comprehensive analysis that integrates the various scientific, technological, but also social aspects. This is encom-passed in the concept of at is Responsible Research and Innovation.
We cannot predict the future, but we have the opportunity to invent it, based on sound science and technology foresight.