In the last few weeks several leading decision makers and opinion makers around the world held consultations with Strategic Foresight Group on a variety of issues.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Misned of Qatar invited Sundeep Waslekar and Ilmas Futehally for a private lunch with her close advisers to discuss the Arab Islamic Renaissance, United Nations Secretary General’s Initiative on the Alliance of Civilizations and improving relations between Western and Islamic countries. Her Highness is a moving spirit behind various educational initiatives and the advancement of science and technology in the Arab world. SFG discussed with her how these initiatives could have larger impact to raise the esteem of youth in the Middle East and channel their energies into productive aspects of life. Her Highness has invited SFG to continue the dialogue in Qatar.

Nicholas Burns, US Under Secretary of State, invited SFG President for a discussion on emerging political and economic environment in South Asia. The discussion also touched on global security issues that SFG is involved in addressing. US Under Secretary has invited SFG to Washington DC to continue the discussion.

Sundeep Waslekar and Ilmas Futehally met several parliamentarians in UK. Graham Watson, Leader of ALDE group in the European Parliament, hosted lunch for them at his private residence in Somerset. He and Lord Alderdice, President of Liberal International, discussed the way forward for the initiative on deconstructing terror. They also visited House of Commons for separate meetings with Malcolm Bruce, chairman of the Development Committee of the House of Commons, John Battle, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Faith Adviser, and John Grogan, who has been described as the wittiest member of the House of Commons. Most of the discussion focussed on the concept of inclusive world.

Graham Watson MEP

Sundeep Waslekar attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos this year as well. He held consultations with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, on how to restore the deficit of dignity among young people. The Crown Prince has joined hands with several global young leaders of the World Economic Forum to launch a dignity initiative. The group has issued a dignity charter. Both, Sundeep Waslekar and the Crown Prince were issued extensively, among others, by the special Davos issue of the Arabies Trends magazines on how to create an inclusive world.

Sundeep Waslekar also had a meeting with HE Amre Moussa, Arab League Secretary General, at Davos and joined General Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, for a dinner. General Obasanjo is a good friend of the organisation and had played a critical inspiring role in the formation of the International Centre for Peace Initiatives, which eventually gave birth to SFG.