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Abstract The World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF), founded in 1973, has been the leading international body for futures research and foresight scholarship for over five decades. This article offers an in-depth account of the Federation’s achievements and innovations from 2017 to 2025, a period marked by renewal, expansion, and global engagement. During this era, WFSF celebrated its 50th anniversary, deepened collaboration with UNESCO and the United Nations, launched program and course accreditation services for foresight education, expanded regional chapters, and strengthened its role as a global convener of academic and applied futures communities. The article situates WFSF’s work in the wider history of futures studies, highlights its unique pluralistic ethos, and examines how the Federation has advanced foresight education, and global policy engagement. It concludes by outlining the Federation’s enduring contributions to shaping the futures studies and its prospective trajectory as humanity faces unprecedented challenges. Introduction Since its foundation in Paris in 1973, the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) has sought to advance futures studies as an academic discipline and a global practice. Distinct from its contemporaries, WFSF was established on the principles of cultural pluralism, interdisciplinarity, and planetary responsibility. It has consistently emphasized alternative, inclusive, and emancipatory futures, encouraging systemic awareness and collective anticipation. The period between 2017 and 2025 has been particularly dynamic in the Federation’s history. Under the leadership of President Erik F. Øverland, WFSF embarked on strategic programs that consolidated its academic credibility, extended its institutional partnerships, and renewed its role in addressing global challenges. These …

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Future Industries and Innovation Ecosystem: Voice of Global Think Tanks Beijing, China – March 28, 2025: The 2025 Global Science and Technology Innovation High Level Think Tank Forum was held at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center, China’s “Silicon Valley”. With the theme of “Future Industries and Innovation Ecosystem: Voice of Global Think Tanks”, the Think Tank Forum invited 4 domestic and foreign academicians, 1 ambassador to China, 3 representatives of international organizations, 95 domestic and foreign think tanks, and more than 500 people from more than 50 countries and regions to participate in the event. Erik F. Øverland, President of the World Futures Studies Federation, pointed out that the pace of scientific and technological innovation is becoming increasingly rapid, and the wave of technological change is sweeping the world with unprecedented force. He called for cooperation to build a better future with leading technology, social equity, environmental friendliness, and cultural prosperity. Download: Letter of Appreciation to the World Futures Studies Federation:  Download: Letter of Appreciation to the President of the World Futures Studies Federation:  WFSF President holds meeting with senior officials of China Society for Futures Studies Beijing, China – March 29, 2025. Secretary-General of China Society for Futures Studies, Chen Hui introduced the development history, membership structure and organizational activities of China Society for Futures Studies. The Society actively participates in international conferences, such as the 25th World Conference of the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF). In the meeting the fragmentation and lack of systematization of futures studies, among other topics, …

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 effective April 2024, version 3.0

Dear WFSF Members and Friends, Your donation is very much appreciated.Be sure to identify the payment with your name.To pay by wire transfer, use the following bank account details: Bank name: Den Danske BankBank account : WFSF – Main AccountIBAN number – NO5984502011765Account number – 8450.20.11765Bank Identifier (SWIFT) code – DABANO22 Bank Address:Bryggetorget 4N-0250 OsloNorway To pay by cheque please make your cheque favouring “World Futures Studies Federation WFSF.” and post to: Dr. Erik F. Øverland, WFSF c/oGlaneren 2N-1458 FjellstrandNorway Cheque payments are preferred in NOK to avoid heavy currency conversion and bank charges.

From 8 to 12 December 2020, the UNESCO High-Level Futures Literacy Summit provided testimonials from around the world that being futures literate changes what people see and do. From high ranking leaders in the public and private sector to activists, artists, students and professors, the Summit showed how people become futures literate and the impact it has on all aspects of life (click here to read more). Dr. Riel Miller, Head of Futures Literacy in UNESCO and Executive Board member of the WFSF organized the Summit. The WFSF was very active in the UNESCO Futures Literacy Summit 2020 and organized several exciting events. You can access on this page the content presented in the WFSF Virtual Booth at this Summit as well as the video recordings of the presentations. In 2023 WFSF Turns 50 Program Guide We Are WFSF Partnership & Research Academia Publications Recorded Videos Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Federation.  Maya Van Leemput: Applied Futures Research for professional Bachelors at Erasmus University of Applied Sciences and the Arts Brussel You can watch the video of the presentation here.   Christopher Bisson with Erik Øverland, Caroline Codsi, ICD.D. and Bertrand Badré: A Roadmap for Sustainable Governance (Panel discussion) You can watch the video of the presentation here.   Jennifer Gidley, PhD: The WFSF and Futures Literacy You can watch the video of the presentation here.   Dana Klisanin, PhD: Transforming …

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Chinese Language Futures Books 未来（中英双语）牛津通识读本 给渴望理解未来塑造未来的人 The Millennium Project State of the Future Reports in Chinese (click here) 从长寿到永生（中文版）The Death of Death (Chinese Version)

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WFSF has consistently been a leading player in educating young people in the theories, concepts and methods of futures studies. Through its leadership and  the activities of its members and fellows WFSF has been centrally involved in the development of many of the current futures studies courses. We are currently strengthening our collection of pedagogical resources including articles, books, PPT presentations, course materials, images, videos and pedagogical games, with the support of UNESCO.

One of the challenges for the futures studies field, and many other scholarly fields, is the rapid development of ICT over the last 20-30 years. While WFSF and its members have made a stellar contribution to the academic knowledge base of futures studies, the field as a whole has been left behind in the rising tide of new medias. WFSF is committed to breathing new life into its knowledge base and expertise in futures thinking by actively encouraging projects involving positive futures images, particularly through film, and other visual media. Link here to the WFSF Video Channel. The LEALA video channel is specifically dedicated to our futures video collection that focuses on the recording of our LEALA courses and workshops or the educational videos we produce and collect. LEALA participants and facilitators are invited to record and produce their own videos to add to our collection.