Karol Wasilewski hailed foresight as an essential tool to build a better future for our cities and local communities at the Bucharest’s METREX – The Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas Conference. During his intervention he had a chance to: explain why we all need a guide to the future, underline the importance of getting from scenario building to strategizing and share some advice on how to communicate the value of foresight to decision-makers.

In the “Main European issues towards 2049” roundtable with the participation of: Prof. Gerry Hassan, University of Dundee, UK, Karol Wasilewski, 4CF The Futures Literacy Company,  Charles Wemple, Director of the Houston regional Council association and an expert in foresighting, the participants focused on the future of metropolitan regions and Europe. Europe is shaken by dark trends such as war in the East, crisis of liberal democracy in many countries, collapse of biodiversity, hyper-individualism as a new mindset. At the same time, the EU is planning to rebuild its global competitiveness. What are the possible scenarios for Europe’s future under such circumstances? And what role could metropolitan regions and areas play?

By using the foresight method, this session offered the opportunity to create scenarios of the future metropolitan regions and areas in 2049, reflecting on the outputs from the morning workshops and moving from the insights received by the foresight experts. 

Below are his remarks post conference:

“Oftentimes, we complain about decision makers and their lack of vision. I don’t think we are exactly wrong in this approach as a lack of vision and long-term thinking makes them hostages of their present interests, and may stop them from bold interventions that could serve the development. Having said that, I’d like to offer you a bit more nuanced point of view. While we rightly criticise decision-makers, we tend to forget that they have been chosen – be it by their corporate boards, be it by electorates – to deliver on a very specific, very often short-term goal (or a set of goals). We may not like it, we may see the flaws of such an approach (or a system), but I think it’s unhelpful to feel offended by reality and to get stuck in a “complaining cycle” (or if you wish). What I would encourage you to do instead, is to remember that it is our – foresighters and strategists – job to clearly lay out the benefits of using the future for the sake of today. It is us who are responsible for explaining the virtues of our work and showing decision-makers that using the future may also help them achieve the goals of today. During the METREX – The Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas Conference, I had a chance to speak about 4CF The Futures Literacy Company recent projects in which we used the future to help our clients also to accomplish their short-term goals. Keep your fingers crossed, because one of these projects – providing that it further progresses – has a potential to improve the life quality of each of us. I hope that next year I will be able to tell you an inspiring story of “how the 4CF The Futures Literacy Company saved the world”.

“A perspective every decision maker should take to heart. Aligning future foresight with today’s goals isn’t just wise—it’s essential for creating lasting impact. Karol Wasilewski from METREX – The Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas conference in Bucharest.