Futures

Overview of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and Its Implications, (from page 20220118.)

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Summary

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 aims to enhance the social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being of Wales. It mandates public bodies to consider the long-term impacts of their decisions, collaborate with communities, and address issues like poverty and climate change. The Act features seven well-being goals that all public bodies must strive to achieve. It defines sustainable development in Wales and outlines five essential ways of working: long-term thinking, integration, involvement, collaboration, and prevention. The Act covers 48 public bodies and establishes Public Services Boards in local authorities to assess and improve local well-being. The Auditor General monitors compliance with the sustainable development principle, ensuring progress toward well-being objectives.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Global Interest in Well-being Legislation Countries are observing Wales’ unique legal framework for future generations. Shift from isolated national policies to global interest in well-being legislation. A global trend towards enacting similar well-being laws in various nations. The desire for sustainable development and long-term societal improvement. 4
Public Bodies Collaboration Public bodies are mandated to collaborate for achieving well-being goals. From fragmented efforts to a unified approach in addressing public well-being. Increased effectiveness in public service delivery through collaborative frameworks. The need for integrated solutions to complex social challenges. 5
Focus on Long-term Needs Emphasis on balancing short-term needs with long-term sustainability. Shift from reactive to proactive governance in public service planning. A cultural shift in public policy prioritizing long-term impacts over short-term gains. Growing awareness of climate change and its long-term effects. 5
Diversity in Involvement Importance of involving diverse community representation in decision-making. From homogeneous decision-making to inclusive approaches in public governance. More representative policies that reflect the diversity of communities served. Recognition of the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving. 4
Sustainable Development Principle Adoption Public bodies are legally obligated to follow sustainable development principles. From optional sustainability practices to mandatory adherence in governance. Widespread adoption of sustainability principles in public policy worldwide. Global push for sustainability in response to climate change and social inequalities. 5

Concerns

name description relevancy
Long-term Neglect Failure to adequately balance short-term needs with long-term well-being could lead to neglect of future generations’ needs. 4
Health Inequalities Persisting Persistent health inequalities may worsen if not adequately addressed, impacting vulnerable populations. 5
Environmental Degradation Insufficient action against climate change and environmental degradation could severely impact future well-being. 5
Social Disconnect Inadequate involvement of diverse community members could result in social disconnect and failure to meet well-being goals. 4
Fragmented Collaboration Poor collaboration among public bodies may hinder achievement of well-being objectives, resulting in ineffective policies. 3
Inadequate Assessment and Accountability Lack of effective assessment and accountability in applying sustainable development principles may allow persistent problems to go unchecked. 4

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Long-term Thinking Emphasizing the importance of balancing short-term needs with the ability to meet long-term needs in decision-making. 5
Integrated Objectives Considering the impact of well-being objectives across different public bodies and their goals to ensure cohesive action. 4
Community Involvement Involving diverse community members in the decision-making process to achieve well-being goals effectively. 4
Collaborative Action Encouraging collaboration among public bodies and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of well-being objectives. 5
Preventative Approach Focusing on preventing issues before they arise to better meet public bodies’ objectives and enhance well-being. 5
Sustainable Development Integration Embedding sustainable development principles in all public bodies to guide policies and actions towards well-being goals. 5
Local Well-being Assessments Establishing Public Services Boards to assess local well-being and set objectives for improvement in various domains. 4

Technologies

name description relevancy
Sustainable Development Principles Framework guiding public bodies to balance short-term and long-term needs for social, environmental, and economic well-being. 5
Public Services Boards Local bodies assessing and improving community well-being through collaborative planning and action. 4
Integrated Well-being Goals Set of goals designed to address diverse well-being needs in Wales through collaboration and involvement. 4
Auditing of Public Bodies Systematic examination of public bodies’ adherence to sustainable development principles and well-being objectives. 3

Issues

name description relevancy
Long-term Sustainability Balancing immediate needs with the capacity to meet future demands is becoming a critical issue in governance and public policy. 5
Health Inequalities Persistent health disparities in communities may escalate, demanding innovative approaches to healthcare and social support. 4
Climate Change Mitigation The need for proactive measures against climate change is increasingly urgent, particularly in policy-making and community planning. 5
Public Engagement in Governance Ensuring diverse community involvement in decision-making processes is vital for achieving well-being goals, highlighting a potential governance gap. 4
Collaboration Across Public Bodies Enhanced cooperation among various public entities is necessary to effectively address complex social and environmental issues. 4
Innovative Public Services The demand for innovative thinking in public service delivery is rising, necessitating adaptation to evolving community needs and expectations. 4