COVID-19: How can we emerge from the crisis into a more resilient, sustainable future?
The decade of delivery has kicked off with an unprecedented shock to our systems. COVID-19 has disrupted the world as we knew it and continues to create extreme hardship for people around the world. Over the coming weeks, Forum for the Future will produce a series of online events and articles which aim to explore the longer-term implications of the crisis, and this month’s newsletter provides a snapshot of just some of this content.
Working alongside our partners, we are focused on ensuring we emerge into a new normal that supports a more resilient, equitable and sustainable future. From thought pieces and blogs to open webinars, diaries and more, there are multiple ways to engage.
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An open letter to global governments
This week, Environment Ministers from 30 countries met online to explore how to organise a green economic recovery post-COVID-19. Sustainability must be central to the coronavirus response, but what are the key considerations for government? Dr Sally Uren, Chief Executive, pens an open letter outlining a wishlist.
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Introducing the Diary of Discontinuity
What are you experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic? What are you seeing and how are you responding? What are you learning? To ignite conversation and encourage people to share their experiences – both personal and professional - Forum has created a ‘Diary of Discontinuity.’
Why not join the conversation? Tweet us at @Forum4theFuture, or email us at [email protected].
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Like many of our partners, we have embraced virtual working. See all our upcoming events here.
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12 May
COVID-19 and the coming decade's dynamic areas
Webinar: COVID-19 is likely only the first in a series of shocks that could take us by surprise in coming years. What could those other shocks be? How can we better prepare for turbulence? Join us to explore system dynamics for the decade ahead. Using futures thinking and tools, we will introduce our ‘Map of Dynamic Areas’ and use it to identify points for preparation and intervention as the world rebuilds post-COVID-19.
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14 May
Open Zoom session: what are you experiencing?
We’re all experiencing huge change unfolding around us. We need the space to stop, share, listen and reflect. Join us - and others from our global network - to process your experience. This is the first in a series of sessions - each will be inspired by our Diary of Discontinuity entries and will explore various questions to help us navigate change.
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20 May
Net Impact Approaches Webinar
Following the postponement of the Net Impact Approaches 2020 conference to 2021, there will now be a free webinar on 20 May. Speakers from the Capitals Coalition, Forum for the Future, Impact Management Project, International Integrated Reporting Council and Value Balancing Alliance will share the latest on net positive thinking.
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20 May and 22 June
School of System Change Basecamp#10 UK information
We are excited to launch recruitment for Basecamp#10 from the School of System Change, starting in the UK in September 2020. This online session is a chance to find out more about the course, meet some of the facilitators and former participants and ask lots of questions. We can't wait to meet you!
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This month on the Futures Centre
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The changes ricocheting around the world are oftentimes unintended and unforeseen, and while it is never straightforward, some could lead to positive long-term effects, including those below. See our full collection of signals here.
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Signal of Change /
COVID-19 sees grassroots initiatives shorten food value chains. Shorter supply chains can not only reduce vulnerability to international market disruptions, but also enhance access to fresh food and increase the value going to farmers, and are a key component of a diversified agroecological system.
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Signal of Change /
Community groups and individuals across the world are providing key services through disruption. While many businesses are closing – either temporarily or going into permanent administration – communities and individuals are taking on a larger role in providing key services, usually for free.
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Three keys to creating change
Lessons from School of System Change participant Megan Stoneburner Azim.
"This work is about constant evolution — trying something, reacting, editing, reworking and starting all over, with the hope and notation that we are making things better for all."
You can read more about the School here. Applications for our next course, beginning in September, are now open.
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Why we need to re-shape commodity value chains (and what this means for cotton)
There is a narrow window of opportunity to re-shape agricultural commodity value chain systems to be regenerative, distributive and resilient in the conditions of a post-COVID and climate-changing world.
Charlene Collison, Associate Director, Sustainable Value Chains and Livelihoods, looks at broader commodity systems and the ambitious Cotton 2040 project.
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