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Chair on Anticipatory Systems

"Working with the future does not in fact mean 'predicting what will happen - fortunately, the world is always richer and more surprising than our models - as much as it means being open, ready for surprises and being prepared to handle them'.

Publication date:

04/04/2025

© Sconosciuto - Licenza sconosciuta

Description

People naturally strive to look ahead, trying to understand the problems they may encounter and the challenges they will have to face: the main element of 'thinking ahead' is to develop better skills in managing risk, the unexpected, the contingent succession of events. Innovation is today a cultural fact, even before being technological, with important social impacts on people and places. The study of futures, or Futures Studies, has been at the heart of UNESCO's work since the 1960s. Italy is currently represented by the Chair in Anticipatory Systems at the University of Trento.

The aim of the UNESCO Chair on Anticipation and Future Studies is to spread the knowledge of this methodology in the world of professions, public and private realities and to work with international partners for a broad 20-30 year planning, for the anticipation of major problems and challenges, to help in planning sustainable futures. Imagination, anticipation and aspiration are used alongside mathematical models, statistical analysis and demographic studies to inspire what should be done and what can be done in each specific context to improve the quality of life.

Visit dedicated sites:

https://www.unitn.it/archivio/periodicounitn/periodicounitn.unitn.it/136/le-previsioni-sul-futuro-sono-attendibili.html

https://www.unesco.it/it/iniziative-dellunesco/cattedre-unesco/

Additional information

Last modified: 17/06/2025 3:39 pm

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