About WFSF

WFSF is a UNESCO and UN consultative partner and global NGO with members in over 60 countries. We bring together academics, researchers, practitioners, students and futures-focused institutions. WFSF offers a forum for stimulation, exploration and exchange of ideas, visions, and plans for alternative futures, through long-term, big-picture thinking and radical change.

WFSF is a non-profit global NGO governed by a President and Executive Board. We are independent, non-commercial and lead the way in futures research & scholarship.

Founded in Paris in 1973, WFSF is a global network of leading futurists. WFSF membership is transdisciplinary and very diverse. WFSF welcomes scholars, teachers, researchers, foresight practitioners, policy analysts, activists, students and others with a long-range view. Members include women, men and young people from all corners of the globe.

We collaborate with dozens of futures-focused organisations all over the world and invite applications for institutional membership from suitably qualified organisations.

WFSF has a long-standing commitment to truly global futures, meaning openness to creating alternative futures that embrace cultural diversity and individual difference.

WFSF is dedicated to stimulating awareness of the urgent need for long-term thinking in government, policy, civil and educational institutions, to resolve complex local, national, regional and global problems.

To find out more about WFSF you can browse the various sections of our website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and links to Answers:

o Who founded the WFSF and when?
o Who is the current Leadership Team?
o Can anyone become a WFSF Member? How do I join?
o Who were the former Presidents and Secretaries-General?
o Where have previous WFSF Conferences been held?
o Are there any WFSF Conferences coming up that I can attend?
o How do I learn more about futures studies?
o What does our partnership with UNESCO mean?
o What does our partnership with the UN-ECOSOC mean?
o What books are recommended for finding out the basics about futures studies?
o How can I get involved?

WFSF Awards

WFSF Awards have been granted since 1994 to individuals, groups and institutions at the forefront of futures studies and research.

Recent WFSF Awards include:

2017:

At the WFSF 22nd World Conference in Jondal Norway, June 2017, three awards were granted:

WFSF Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to:

Professor Johan Galtung: for “outstanding achievement and in acknowledgement of his many contributions to the field of futures studies, peace studies, and to the well being of humankind, and in particular for his significant contribution to the origins of the World Futures Studies Federation.”

Professor Richard Slaughter: for “outstanding achievement and in acknowledgement of his many contributions to the field of futures studies and strategic foresight, and in particular for his significant contribution to the development and consolidation of the knowledge base of futures studies.”

WFSF President’s Outstanding Young Futurist Award presented to:

Professor Seongwon Park, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) Graduate Program for Future Strategy & Research Fellow, Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), South Korea.

The “WFSF President’s Outstanding Young Futurist Award” to be awarded from time to time when a young person shows outstanding achievements in futures studies.

For International Women’s Day 2017: WFSF honoured two outstanding women.

WFSF International Women’s Day Global Award 2017: Presented to Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, an inspiring Maasai woman educator from Kenya.

WFSF President’s Outstanding Woman Futurist 2017: Presented to Dr Dana Klisanin, an innovative psychologist and futurist from New York.

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WFSF Elections 2021

The WFSF Executive Board and President may be re-elected to serve for up to two consecutive four-year terms. We are very fortunate that, as with the last Election in 2013, almost half the current Executive Board are willing to serve for a second term if the Members want. This is common practice in high levels of government where Senate elections are often staggered so that only half members are replaced at any Election. While not locked into our Constitution, the desire of eligible Board Members to stand for a second term is a demonstration of their commitment to the Federation, and the cooperation and harmony of Board working relationships. This has the potential to ensure continuity and consolidation of the Federation’s strength and direction, especially with regard to our UNESCO and UN cooperation.

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