Following two days of brainstorming and exchange of views and ideas on foresight mechanisms in order to lay down the most effective scenarios to face future challenges, the International Conference on the State of Foresight Studies in the World, held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Policy Center for the New South and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU), concluded its proceedings on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, with several recommendations to promote the culture of strategic foresight.
The Conference, which saw high-level participation including prominent international foresight experts, issued many recommendations stressing the need to increase investment in scientific research in the field of foresight, promote socio-economic development through foresight, and encourage the launch of an international platform to spread its culture. The Conference also recommended promoting strategic cooperation and international partnerships in the field of foresight studies, exchanging experiences among countries, and preparing a foresight guidebook for the benefit of the countries of the Islamic world.
The second day of the conference saw a discussion session on translating visions of the future into action plans, in which speakers stressed the need to build individual and institutional capacities, establish fruitful partnerships in the field of foresight, and embrace modern technology and artificial intelligence applications while being cautious about its risks.
The second session focused on the role of think tanks in achieving strategic diplomacy. Participants pointed to the importance of these entities in training young generations on foresight tools to achieve this goal and to carry out forward-looking studies. In the third session, speakers discussed the concept of artificial intelligence and its history, contributions to the field of foresight, and ways to capitalize on its applications to anticipate future events and develop scenarios to meet challenges.
The sessions featured discussions, in which the attendees asked some questions and expressed their visions, transforming these sessions into brainstorming activities on the importance of foresight studies and their role in decision-making.
In his statement at the closing session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed the importance of integrating strategic foresight in school curricula, holding more workshops on this key field for the benefit of young people, and training them on the importance of resilience and having a positive attitude towards modern technology and artificial intelligence.
At the close of the Conference, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO, read out the recommendations of the Conference, which the participants contributed to drafting, commending the rich discussions that took place in the sessions.
Afterward, the participants set out to ICESCO Headquarters, where they visited the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at the Organization’s headquarters, where they listened to detailed explanations about the pavilions and sections of the Exhibition and the Museum, which adopt modern display techniques to narrate and document in detail the Seerah of our Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
