Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil looks on as Vilasrao Deshmukh, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra lights the lamp at SFG conference. Also present are SFG founders: Sundeep Waslekar, Ilmas Futehally, Shrikant Menjoge
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Strategic Foresight Group is one of the pioneers of using scenario planning for macro-political environment. Scenario planning is developing alternative visions of the future. It is not about predicting a particular future. It is more about mapping discontinuities than extrapolating trends. Scenario planning helps policy makers envisage various trajectories for tomorrow, so that they may take decisions today.
In conjunction with scenario planning, SFG undertakes risk assessment and horizon scanning at the national and regional level, with a particular focus on the drivers that can influence long term future of the given society.
So far, SFG has prepared scenarios for
- Pakistan
- India
- Malaysia
- Bangladesh
- Iran and Afghanistan
- Central Asia
- European security
- Global security
SFG is currently involved in horizon scanning of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Middle East to monitor long term trends affecting the poorest population in these countries. |
Global Shifts
SFG follows major global shifts in geopolitics, economy, technology, religion and other spheres that can influence future of humanity.
In February 2009, on the background of the global financial crisis, SFG was invited by the Finance Minister of Italy to contribute its perspectives for the G8 Summit.
In June 2008, we convened an international conference on Responsibility to the Future: Business, Peace and Sustainability to examine major global shifts in food and water security, energy, climate change, clean technologies, use of ICT for peace and humanitarian crisis, innovative education and responsible and ethical investments. It was inaugurated by Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, co-hosted by the United Nations Global Compact, and attended by 250 delegates from 25 countries.
In January 2008, we brought out a report on Global Security and Economy: Emerging Issues for 2011-2020.
In December 2005, Dubai Consortium hosted the Nelson Mandela Benefit Dinner. On this occasion, SFG presented the concept of 'an inclusive world'. A year later, we elaborated on the concept and published it as an essay. In the first half of 2007, some of its key conclusions were debated at Oxford University and the UK Parliament - in committee meetings, as well as floor debates of the House of Commons.
 "An Inclusive World is a rare document where Strategic Foresight Group puts forward a comprehensive agenda that combines analysis of the central dilemmas of our troubled times with solutions. . The building blocks identified by Strategic Foresight Group add up to the most comprehensive approach to the crisis of our time that has ever been proposed."
- Professor Shlomo Ben-Ami, former Foreign Minister of Israel
"Strategic Foresight Group (has) produced research that shows-unsurprisingly-that the rise of extremism and terrorism is sustained in areas where there is a deficit in development, democracy and dignity. It offers a transition in which aid, as a means of conflict resolution, provides support for policies that offset those deficits, restore dignity and democracy and provide the space for real and sustained development."
-The Rt. Hon. Malcolm Bruce, Chairman of International Development Committee,
while intervening in a debate in UK House of Commons, on March 22, 2007
“An Inclusive World is a terrific, insightful read. It combines clear thinking with straight talking. … Better yet, it does not stop at analysis of problems, but offers
a range of concrete policy proposals. I highly recommend it.”
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Professor Shlomo Ben-Ami, former Foreign Minister of Israel Prof Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean of Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, USA
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Resource Scenarios
Strategic Foresight Group examines the intersection between geopolitics and growing stress on the earth's resources. SFG has already launched initiatives for regional cooperation for water security in Asia and the Middle East. We have held consultations with government leaders and experts, convened multilateral workshops and conducted futuristic research. Our work so far has produced fresh ideas for institutional mechanisms to promote water security in the two regions.
Strategic Foresight Group is involved with dialogue with various parties for new initiatives concerning resources that may help humanity avert future health risks and also initiatives
focussed on emerging technologies such as genomics, nanotechnology and robotics.
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Cost of Conflict
Strategic Foresight Group has developed a framework for measuring future costs of a given conflict so that the concerned societies may decide if they can sustain them and carry on with the conflict or choose another policy mix. The costs are measured on a large number of different parameters including economic, military, societal, cultural, psychological, diplomatic, political and other factors. They are not merely about defence expenditure and opportunity costs of business. In fact, in certain circumstances, political and humanitarian costs far outweigh economic costs.
So far, the reports produced in this series include:
- Cost of Conflict between India and Pakistan
- Cost of Conflict in Sri Lanka
- Cost of Conflict in the Middle East
"One year ago, the report on "Cost of Conflict in the Middle East" was launched in Geneva. It was the fruit of a
successful joint-venture between the Strategic Foresight Group and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Our continued cooperation is obviously a sign of confidence in SFG. We do appreciate SFG's working methodology, the way they address a problem, their access to expertise and to decision-makers as well as their commitment to the cause."
Ambassador Thomas Greminger of Switzerland |
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