In 2040, societal change is collective, with everyone, from educators to tech developers, contributing to transformation as a natural rhythm. Individuals are encouraged to reflect thoughtfully, engaging in storytelling practices that help reshape narratives tied to growth and success. Futures literacy, defined as the capacity to imagine and prepare for possibilities, emphasizes storytelling as a generative tool for creating new narratives. Practices like visioning exercises and speculative storytelling enable communities to rethink dominant narratives and ideate inclusive futures. The article highlights the importance of imagination not as a luxury but as a necessary skill for resilience and cultural myth-making, particularly in overcoming today’s complex crises. Through collaborative storytelling, communities can transform their futures and cultivate a shared vision that values well-being and interconnection.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collective Societal Rhythm | Change becomes a shared societal rhythm rather than a specialty for a few. | From individual-driven change efforts to a collective societal approach to change. | Societies embrace collective transformation, viewing change as a natural rhythm of life. | A growing understanding of interconnectedness and collective agency in shaping futures. | 4 |
| Storytelling as a Tool for Transformational Change | Storytelling becomes central in shaping realities and futures of communities. | From storytelling as mere entertainment to a vital tool for community transformation. | Narratives shape societal values and perceptions, influencing collective futures positively. | A shift towards valuing imagination and narrative in decision-making processes. | 5 |
| Reimagining Collective Narratives | Communities collaboratively rewrite dominant narratives affecting their lives. | From acceptance of inherited narratives about societal success to co-creation of new, inclusive stories. | Communities develop more empowering narratives, leading to inclusive social systems and policies. | An increasing desire for inclusivity and justice in social narratives and policies. | 4 |
| Imagination as a Collective Muscle | Imagination is practiced collectively, not just by artists or designers but by everyone. | From imagination as an individual skill to a shared societal practice. | Imaginative capacity enhances community engagement and cooperative problem-solving. | The recognition of the importance of creative thinking in facing societal challenges. | 4 |
| A Season of Reflection in Corporate Settings | Corporations incorporate built-in pauses for collective sense-making and redesign. | From performance metrics focused on productivity to those valuing relational health. | Corporations prioritize well-being and community health, leading to sustainable practices. | A growing awareness of the impact of corporate practices on community well-being. | 5 |
| Futures Literacy as a Strategic Skill | Futures literacy becomes an essential capability for individuals in all sectors. | From linear forecasting to a more nuanced understanding of multiple possible futures. | A workforce proficient in futures literacy can better navigate uncertainties and complexities. | An increased need to adapt to rapid changes in the global landscape. | 5 |
| Stories of Regeneration vs. Extraction | Narratives shift from those of extraction to focus on regrowth and repair. | From a society focused on short-term gains to one valuing long-term sustainability. | A cultural shift prioritizes regenerative practices in economic and social systems. | Growing concern over environmental degradation and social inequities. | 4 |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Decline of Policy as a Change Driver | Policies are increasingly seen as inadequate for driving change, risking stagnation in societal transformation if imagination and narratives are neglected. |
| Over-Reliance on Individual Change Agents | The trend of everyone being a ‘changemaker’ may lead to fragmentation and dilute focused efforts, undermining systemic change. |
| Potential Misuse of Futures Literacy | Futures literacy might be co-opted by those in power to legitimize their existing narratives rather than fostering genuine transformation. |
| Cultural Myths May Stifle Innovation | Inheriting outdated cultural narratives could restrict new ideas and innovative solutions, leading to systemic decay. |
| Absence of Structural Support for Collective Imagination | Without institutional frameworks supporting creativity and imagination at all societal levels, there’s a risk of individual narratives lacking impact. |
| Erosion of Shared Understanding | As narrative literacy spreads, varying interpretations could emerge, leading to disconnection among communities and misalignment of goals. |
| Short-term Thinking over Long-term Visioning | With a focus on immediate results or aesthetics, there’s a risk of abandoning long-term, sustainable solutions. |
| Inequitable Access to Futures Literacy | Not all communities may have the same access to futures literacy education, leading to inequalities in shaping future narratives. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Imaginative Collaboration | Individuals from diverse sectors collaborate to shape futures intentionally, viewing change as a shared rhythm rather than a specialty. |
| Collective Sense-Making | Communities now prioritize collective reflection and redesign in their processes, leading to deeper social engagement and communal growth. |
| Ecosystem-Oriented Metrics | Organizations use community dashboards to measure success through relational health and narrative coherence instead of traditional KPIs. |
| Regenerative Storytelling | Storytelling evolves into a generative tool for creating new, life-giving narratives that promote relationship-based systems. |
| Imagination Literacy | Cultivating futures literacy through imagination becomes essential, encouraging individuals to critically engage with possible futures. |
| Participatory Futures Design | Workshops utilize participatory methods to envision futures with sensory and emotional depth, anchoring possibilities in lived experiences. |
| Longing as Intelligence | Valuing longing not just as desire but as an intelligence that guides individuals to envision and manifest more aspirational futures. |
| Living Prototypes | Communities experiment with aspirational yet imperfect solutions, showcasing practical applications of idealistic concepts in everyday life. |
| Cultural Myth Creation | Emphasizing the need for new cultural narratives that foster resilience and imagination amid complex societal challenges. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Futures Literacy | The capacity to imagine and prepare for possible futures, emphasizing sensing, questioning, and reshaping. |
| Narrative Design | Using storytelling as a participatory tool to reshape social narratives and influence decision-making processes. |
| Speculative Storytelling | A practice that invites communities to craft stories from imagined futures, encouraging alternative perspectives. |
| Imagination as Infrastructure | Reintegrating imagination into collective skills across various sectors to foster creativity and innovative problem-solving. |
| Regenerative Economic Models | Economic frameworks prioritizing well-being, care work, and sustainability over traditional growth metrics. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Futures Literacy | The ability to imagine and prepare for possible futures as a strategic tool for societal change. |
| Narrative Coherence in Decision-Making | The shift towards using collective storytelling and relational metrics in corporate and public decision-making processes. |
| Regenerative Storytelling | Promoting narratives that prioritize relationships and regeneration over extraction and traditional growth models. |
| Collective Imagination | Encouraging all sectors of society to engage in shared imaginative practices to reshape their futures. |
| Cultural Myths and New Stories | The need for fresh cultural narratives that foster resilience and adaptation in the face of complex crises. |
| Imagination as Infrastructure | Valuing imagination as a collective capability integral to creating future realities and societal transformations. |
| Participatory Design in Futures Thinking | Using embodied and participatory methods to engage communities in envisioning and designing their futures. |