Intel / Diplomatic Activity

OSINT intel briefs, structured summaries, and trend signals. Topic: Diplomatic-Activity. Updated briefs and structured summaries from curated sources.
Dubai Future Horizons 21 | Dubai Foresight Awards: What does it take to turn foresight into action?
Dubai Future Horizons 21 | Dubai Foresight Awards: What does it take to turn foresight into action?
2026-02-16T07:16:32Z
Full timeline
0.0–300.0
Dubai Future Horizons is a global event with participants from 21 time zones, showcasing a diverse community engaged in foresight discussions. The inaugural year attracted 1,000 futurists from 139 countries, fostering excitement and collaboration around innovative foresight practices.
  • Dubai Future Horizons is a global event with participants from 21 time zones, showcasing a diverse community engaged in foresight discussions. The session explores what it takes to turn foresight into action, emphasizing the translation of insights into real-world impact
  • Patrick Nook, Executive Director of the Dubai Future Institute, highlights that successful foresight initiatives require both thinking and doing. This involves community involvement and understanding their needs
  • The Dubai Foresight Awards recognize projects that bridge the gap between foresight research and actionable policy changes. The inaugural year attracted 1,000 futurists from 139 countries, fostering excitement and collaboration around innovative foresight practices
300.0–600.0
The Dubai Foresight Awards recognize impactful contributions in foresight from a diverse range of countries. The awards ceremony serves as a significant moment for showcasing meaningful initiatives and fostering global collaboration.
  • The Dubai Foresight Awards celebrate impactful work in foresight, showcasing contributions from a diverse range of countries. The awards ceremony is an emotional highlight, reinforcing the importance of recognizing meaningful foresight initiatives
  • Looking ahead, the awards will remain central to the forums agenda, with expectations for increased submissions and impactful projects. This commitment reflects a desire to share the work of individuals globally
  • Patterns from applications revealed a decrease in submissions related to foresight for the planet, linked to challenges in demonstrating project impacts. Some applications also highlighted gaps in international development aid
600.0–900.0
The Pacifica Futures Report addresses issues like injustice and climate change across 10 countries, serving as a foundation for the Pacifica Futures Forum. The forum aims to translate foresight into actionable events, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
  • Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel discusses the Pacifica Futures Report, which addresses issues like injustice and climate change across 10 countries. This report serves as a foundation for the Pacifica Futures Forum, translating foresight into actionable events
  • Nsah Mala is working on the Congo Bayesian futures project, collaborating with tribal leaders to expand its reach internationally. The projects scope is vast, comparable in size to India, highlighting its significant impact
  • Nicola Palmarini focuses on innovation related to aging and demographic change through the city of longevity platform. This initiative utilizes a large language model to help cities improve the health of their populations
  • The speakers emphasize the need for foresight to translate into action, with Tuya noting that reports should be actively utilized. The Pacifica Futures Forum, inspired by the Dubai Futures Forum, aims to foster ongoing dialogue and action based on the reports findings
900.0–1200.0
The Pacifica Futures report emphasizes community engagement through the traditional practice of Talanoa, involving young people, elders, and civil society activists. A notable initiative is the 'ministry of canoe,' a virtual platform designed to connect rural youth with public services and mentorship.
  • The Pacifica Futures report was developed through collaboration with young people, elders, and civil society activists, embodying the traditional Pacific practice of Talanoa. This emphasizes real conversation and community engagement to address contemporary challenges
  • One significant outcome from the report is the concept of a ministry of canoe, a virtual platform that allows young people in rural areas to access public services and mentorship programs. This initiative bridges the gap between the diaspora and their home communities
1200.0–1500.0
The digital Tuvalu initiative aims to establish sovereignty through cultural preservation while addressing climate change challenges. It emphasizes the importance of intergenerational collaboration and indigenous wisdom in fostering ownership among Pacific Islanders.
  • The digital Tuvalu initiative aims to establish a sovereignty rooted in cultural preservation, addressing challenges posed by climate change and sea level rise. This initiative showcases how traditional wisdom can inform modern solutions
  • The Pacific Futures reports emphasize the importance of indigenous wisdom, highlighting that ownership lies with young people and elders of the Pacific nations. Intergenerational collaboration fosters shared ownership of future initiatives
  • The Pacific Ocean is vital for the survival of Pacific Islanders, holding the greatest biodiversity in the world. However, species loss is occurring at an alarming rate, deeply affecting the intrinsic connection Pacific Islanders have with their environment
  • The speaker encourages audience contributions to address immediate threats to biodiversity, highlighting the need for alternative models like bio-regionalism. Education and narrative change are essential in fostering a sense of urgency
1500.0–1800.0
The integration of emerging technologies in smaller countries can lead to innovative solutions, as demonstrated by Estonia's digitized public sector. Community engagement and indigenous knowledge are emphasized as vital components for translating future insights into actionable policies.
  • The integration of emerging technologies in smaller countries can provide innovative solutions for the future, demonstrating that digitalization is not limited to larger, more developed nations. Estonia exemplifies how a highly digitized public sector can enhance governance and public services
  • Community suggestions highlight the importance of centering indigenous and local knowledge as early warning systems. This approach translates future insights into actionable policy decisions, fostering a more inclusive decision-making process
  • Nicks work with the City of Longevity platform aims to equip city governments with strategies for promoting healthier populations. The continuously updated toolkit reflects new insights, ensuring that foresight translates into practical actions despite bureaucratic barriers
1800.0–2100.0
By 2050, the global population aged over 60 is expected to reach 2 billion, necessitating a focus on healthy aging. Cities are adapting to this demographic shift by enhancing amenities and considering societal influences on longevity.
  • By 2050, the global population aged over 60 is expected to reach 2 billion, emphasizing the need to understand aging in various scenarios. Longevity involves not just living longer but ensuring a healthy life that allows individuals to contribute to society
  • Cities are adapting to an aging demographic by increasing amenities like benches and bathrooms. However, they can further support longevity by influencing daily behaviors and interactions within urban environments
  • Every action in a city, from public transport to social rituals, impacts longevity. Cultural practices, such as the Italian aperitivo or British tea time, can promote healthier lifestyles
  • Societal factors significantly influence individual behaviors, as shown by a 30-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods in Chicago. This disparity highlights the need to address economic and cultural factors affecting health outcomes
  • Translating theoretical concepts of longevity into practical applications is essential. By creating flexible tools that adapt to different cultural contexts, cities can implement strategies for healthier living
  • A periodic table metaphor illustrates how various elements contribute to longevity. Identifying and coding these elements allows cities to develop formulas to tackle challenges like obesity and social isolation
2100.0–2400.0
Cities can enhance longevity by creating environments that support healthy living, such as increasing amenities for the aging population. Coordination among city departments is crucial, as every domain impacts public health and should collaborate effectively.
  • Cities can promote longevity by designing environments that support healthy living, such as increasing the number of benches and bathrooms for an aging population. A lack of coordination among city departments hinders effective longevity strategies, as every department impacts public health and should work collaboratively
  • Bergamo, Italy, has appointed its first councilor of longevity to coordinate efforts across different domains, highlighting the need for dedicated leadership in longevity initiatives. Additionally, food delivery apps can significantly influence public health; placing healthier options at the top of menus could reduce obesity risk by 15%
2400.0–2700.0
Perceptions of older individuals vary globally, with some cultures valuing their wisdom while others view them as burdens. In Cameroon, older people are seen as repositories of wisdom, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational care.
  • The perception of older people varies globally, with some regions viewing them as burdens due to health issues, while others recognize their wisdom and experience as valuable assets. In Cameroon, older individuals are seen as repositories of wisdom, and there is a cultural belief that young people should care for their elders
2700.0–3000.0
The increasing elderly population in urban areas raises concerns about their care and integration, especially amid challenges like climate change. Initiatives combining literature and community engagement aim to foster intergenerational dialogue and awareness of the ecological significance of the Congo Basin.
  • The future demographic landscape will see an increase in the elderly population, particularly in urban areas, raising concerns about their care and integration amidst challenges like climate change displacement
  • Nick emphasizes the need for cities to learn from each other to improve perceptions and treatment of the elderly, highlighting the importance of shared experiences across regions
  • The speakers project, based on a thesis about the Congo Basin, has evolved into an initiative that combines literature with community engagement to foster intergenerational dialogue through workshops
  • Workshops have been conducted online and in-person in Yaoundé, with plans to expand to other countries in the Congo Basin, crucial for collaboration among diverse generations
  • The Congo Basin, vital for global biodiversity, contains significant natural resources, yet many local inhabitants are unaware of its importance, complicating conservation efforts
  • Ongoing conflict in the region, driven by the quest for minerals, underscores the need for awareness and action regarding the ecological and social significance of the Congo Basin
3000.0–3300.0
The Congo Basin contains the largest peatlands on Earth, which are crucial in the fight against climate change. The project aims to explore alternative futures for the region, focusing on governance, biodiversity protection, and community engagement.
  • The Congo Basin contains the largest peatlands on Earth, crucial in the fight against climate change. Discussions often overlook the local communities that contribute to its biodiversity and cultural diversity
  • The project explores alternative futures for the Congo Basin, focusing on governance, peace, biodiversity protection, and education. Outputs include a story collection translated into French and a poetry anthology from workshop insights
  • Collective action has been inspired, leading to the formation of Friends of Foresight in Cameroon and the Vision Africa 2525 initiative, envisioning the continent 500 years into the future
  • Collaboration with local kings has created commissions for future generations, integrating local initiatives into governance structures in Cameroon to promote foresight and strategic planning
  • A flagship aspect of the project focuses on protecting critically endangered species in Cameroon, such as lions and elephants. Recommendations for sustainable management are being developed with local governance structures
3300.0–3600.0
Pacific youth from Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu successfully advocated for climate justice, leading to a significant ruling from the International Court of Justice. Their approach combined advocacy, protests, and evidence-based data collection to amplify their voices at climate conferences.
  • creating allies to influence public policy, emphasizing practical recommendations for outsiders to established power circles
  • An example highlights Pacific youth from Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu who advocated for climate justice, resulting in a significant ruling from the International Court of Justice
  • Students utilized advocacy, protests, and evidence-based data collection to amplify their voices at climate conferences, showcasing real stories
  • Participants are encouraged to build community relationships to understand challenges from lived experiences before attempting to impact policy
  • Engagement in events with influential figures is recommended to establish common ground and collaborate on shared concerns
  • Translating foresight into narratives is a key strategy for fostering community involvement in policy discussions
3600.0–3900.0
A discussion highlighted the gap between foresight and action in institutions, emphasizing the need for collaboration among grassroots leaders. An EU-funded project aimed at addressing student obesity through multilingual resources showcased the importance of community engagement in tackling health issues.
  • A key question raised is the missing link between foresight and action in institutions. Participants are encouraged to share their own examples of foresight work to illustrate potential solutions
  • Sanja shares an example of a project funded by the EU that united five countries to address student obesity through multilingual resources and research. This initiative highlights the importance of collaboration among universities and hospitals to tackle a significant health issue in Europe
  • Jasmin emphasizes the need to connect grassroots community leaders who are addressing issues on the ground. Empowering local heroes can lead to real impact and collaboration globally despite political challenges
3900.0–4200.0
Mushi from Myanmar discusses the importance of translating foresight into actionable decisions within institutions, highlighting issues of accountability and resource allocation. Patrick Nook from the Dubai Future Foundation praises the impactful projects recognized in the Dubai Foresight Awards, emphasizing their global relevance.
  • Mushi from Myanmar emphasizes that the key to closing the gap between foresight and action in institutions is the implementation of insights into concrete actions and decisions. He notes that organizations often fail to act due to unclear accountability and resource allocation
  • Patrick Nook from the Dubai Future Foundation highlights the outstanding impact of the three winning projects of the Dubai Foresight Awards. One project focuses on foresight for the planet, addressing common goods that are challenging to achieve, showcasing the importance of foresight in global contexts
4200.0–4500.0
The forum team is actively planning the fifth edition of the event, with exciting developments anticipated. Participants are encouraged to mark their calendars for announcements, particularly regarding the opening of the submission page in May.
  • Patrick expressed excitement about the ongoing conversation and the potential for future collaboration with the award winners. He acknowledged the forum team for their continuous efforts in planning the upcoming fifth edition of the forum, hinting at exciting developments to come
  • While specifics about the forum were not disclosed, Patrick encouraged participants to mark their calendars for announcements, particularly regarding the opening of the submission page in May
  • The session concluded with an invitation for participants to engage with one another and express their farewells in their preferred languages, fostering a sense of community among attendees
  • Felix thanked all participants, including guests and team members, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event and the shared journey towards foresight and action