In November 2021, the UNESCO General Conference unanimously adopted 2 December as “World Futures Day” (WFD). Over the years, key milestones recognizing the importance of anticipatory decision-making have been met, such as the Secretary General’s Our Common Agenda, the adoption of the Pact for the Future along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
This year’s World Futures Day will highlight UNESCO’s intersectoral and multidisciplinary approach to addressing today’s major challenges through futures thinking and foresight and will illustrate the benefits of the practical application of foresight in policy-making when navigating in an era of volatility.
This is a great day to once again celebrate the winners of BE OPEN’s Designing Futures 2050 competition finalised earlier this year – who are now joining BE OPEN at UNEA-7 – the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) that will take place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Ajisafe Damilola Ifeoluwa for Redefining Global Healthcare: adjusting the SDGs for scalable practical impact
- Foday David Kamara for Ecovironment: Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Construction Materials
- Adnan Hasyim Wibowo, Fathan Mubani and Rani Marhyani for AGASA or Algae for Sustainable Action: blooming sustainability through algae installation
- Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni for CALMs: Computer Aided Learning Management Suite
- Lucy Dain-Williams and Jeanne Begon-Lours for Tera Mira, Working with Nature to Drive Meaningful Change in Stretch Textiles