The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a meeting on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, to explore the development of a joint vision for cultural foresight and creative intelligence. The virtual seminar brought together representatives of 20 international cultural organizations and institutions, universities, and research centers.
Initiated by ICESCO’s Culture Sector, headed by Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, the meeting took place against a backdrop in which foresight studies are dominated by geopolitics, economics, and technology, while limited attention is devoted to anticipating the future of culture. The project is being implemented in partnership with several international institutions and organizations, including the European Centre for Cultural Accessibility (Cemaforre), the United States of the World in Naples, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in Austria, the Swiss University of Management, Economics and Finance, the International Institute of World Music in Marseille, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), alongside a number of internationally renowned cultural and academic institutions, institutes, research centers, and universities.

The heads and representatives of these international cultural institutions and organizations, from different continents, emphasized the importance of establishing a vision for joint reflection on the future of culture and creative intelligence. Participants also collectively identified the priorities, strategic objectives, areas of action, and programs planned for implementation in 2027.

Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of ICESCO’s Culture Sector, outlined the context of the initiative and the challenges currently facing the cultural sector. He stressed the need to develop new approaches capable of keeping pace with contemporary transformations and embedding culture in development strategies.
For his part, Mr. André Fertier, Founding President of Cemaforre, highlighted the importance of cultural inclusion and the promotion of cultural rights as essential conditions for broadening participation in cultural life. Dr. Michele Capasso, Secretary-General of the United States of the World, called for mobilizing Member States and unifying their efforts around this international initiative. Ms. Margaret Dechenaux, Founder and Director of the International Institute of World Music, emphasized the importance of preserving human distinctiveness in a world increasingly moving toward standardization and uniformity, highlighting her institution’s role in examining digital transformations and strengthening cultural cooperation.

Mr. Abdoul Aziz Yaouba, Secretary-General of the Cameroonian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, described the initiative as an opportunity to enhance the cultural sector’s added value. Dr. Amna Jamali, representing Ms. Naima Benmalek, President of IHM Africa and a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, highlighted the importance of developing competencies and skills in support of the health and education systems.

Professor Sanae Ghouati of Ibn Tofail University in the Kingdom of Morocco stressed the need to develop systematic and structured studies in the cultural field, stating that culture must now engage effectively with foresight and creative approaches. Mr. Frank Pecquet of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University called for giving creativity a genuine role in decision-making and in shaping cultural directions. Ms. Agnès Droux, Director of ADCompagnie and a civil society representative, welcomed the timely initiative, which strengthens ICESCO’s standing in strategic thinking and cultural policy development.

At the conclusion of the discussions, Dr. Bouazza Benachir, Professor at Mohammed V University in Morocco, underscored the importance of involving marginalized groups and underrepresented voices in this collective reflection to ensure that the cultural future of humanity is anticipated in all its dimensions and diversity.