ICESCO’s International Conference on State of Foresight Studies in the World kicks off

On Friday, May 26, 2023, the two-day international conference on the “State of Foresight Studies in the World” kicked off, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Policy Center for the New South and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU). The conference took place at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, bringing together a host of researchers and international experts specializing in strategic foresight and sustainable development.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, described the conference as a journey to explore the realms of knowledge and foresight and shape our collective future. He stressed the importance of integrating foresight into decision-making, enabling us to reflect on the long term and establish a shared vision that embraces the possibilities of the future. He added that ICESCO has dedicated a year to young people, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the future. This dedication stems from the importance of equipping youth with essential skills to adapt to future changes in the job market, which is expected to witness the emergence of new job opportunities.

ICESCO DG concluded his address by noting that the Islamic world countries are facing a crucial juncture that they can only overcome by integrating the culture of foresight into knowledge through the adoption of foresight studies, which will help unlock their immense potential.

In a video-recorded address, Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed the importance of anticipating and developing scenarios to effectively prepare for the future. She added that foresight is a scientific methodology and an essential requirement for fostering peace, reviewing the Ministry’s initiatives in advancing the development model in the areas of economy and energy transition in Morocco.

Dr. Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, emphasized the importance of understanding the state of strategic studies in order to effectively address global challenges and changes. She highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach to building a resilient future while stating that the center promotes dialogue, innovative solutions and geostrategic perspectives that keep pace with technological advances.

In his address, Dr. Faisal Al Anezi, Vice President of PMU, noted that the significant challenges we face in today’s world, such as globalization and climate issues, contribute to the growing disparities among societies and highlight the importance of foresight studies. He also underscored the need to incorporate foresight studies into educational curricula and equip young individuals with the essential skills to confront future challenges.

Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Center for Strategic Foresight of ICESCO, delivered a presentation on the historical background of foresight and the significant contributions made by prominent thinkers and philosophers in this field. He emphasized the crucial role of foresight studies in fostering development in Islamic societies and preparing strategies to address present and future challenges.

After the opening session, the first day of the conference commenced with a panel discussion on best practices and strategic approaches in foresight studies, followed by another panel discussion on how foresight can enhance resilience in the face of challenges.