We are just about recovered from the spectacular foresight retreat that was #SOIF2017. We will be sharing some of the insights, topics and highlights from the week in due course, but we wanted to say a big thank you to all our fantastic participants, speakers and faculty who made this years’ retreat such a success!
This year, we hosted a diverse group from over twenty countries, all with very different jobs and interests; but similar goals and challenges.
Once again, Hartwell House provided us with a beautiful setting for our SOIF learning journey, where participants learn the science, art and craft of foresight and the SOIF four-stage approach: Scoping, Ordering Uncertainty, Implications and Integrating Futures.
As participants arrived, we asked them to “check in” and share what comes to mind when they think about the future: excited, nervous, curious, uncertain, thoughtful, anxious, optimistic, cautious… and that was just at the start of the week!
They began to mingle around the Learning Gallery, looking at some of the group learning objectives and ambitions that they shared with the SOIF team before arriving.
During the week, participants heard from a wide range of speakers: insights into leadership from a neuroscientist, creative inspiration from writers and artists, insights into big data, as well as a host of foresight, policy experts and political leaders from around the world.
[tweet id=”895681471628939264″ align=”right” width=”300″] They learnt foresight theory from the SOIF team and our guest faculty this year, Stuart Candy, who brought additional insights and a focus on experiential futures to SOIF2017. They gained experience applying what they learnt to a NATO Live Challenge, culminating in presentations on the final day.
We launched two key themes during the week that we will continue to be a focus for SOIF this year: the future of education and skills, and Lean and Agile foresight.
We also had the opportunity for yoga and meditation, and to explore the Hartwell House grounds on the reflective Learning Walk that was the mid-point of our week’s journey.
Favorite moments of SOIF2017 Participants included “Being very confused – then enlightened;” “the dynamic of the group, the panels, the expertise”.
The week ended with reflection and excitement and a group and individual challenges to bring strategic foresight back to our homes, offices and lives. Stay tuned for more insights from the retreat!