Dr Morne Mostert, director of the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) based at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), recently addressed delegates of the United Nations (UN) on the importance of improving competence in futures thinking.
This was part of a UN programme for leaders themed around Transformation and Unity Building. Dr Mostert shared his Future Mindset Index, a self-assessment instrument for evaluating how leaders conceive of and interpret the opportunities and threats presented by the future as a foundation for transforming and redesigning what the future might be.
Delegates included UN leaders at director level, including chiefs of mission, from more than 20 countries, including developed and developing economies. The programme was hosted by UCT GSB. This is the second year that the programme was held in Africa.
"For the United Nations, this engagement on the future is important as the UN is often unfairly criticised as a reactive agency. A focus on the future means that UN missions around the world are developing a more anticipatory approach to their work," Dr Mostert said afterwards.
He added: "With the emphasis that Stellenbosch University places on social impact and science for society, this is significant as delegates from the UN represent multi-billion dollar social impact and humanitarian projects."
* Note: The Chatham House Rule applied at the meeting. This rule states that: When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
