A proposal of a new foresight platform considering of sustainable development goals

European Journal of Futures Research, Jan 2018

The National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) has conducted foresight activities for decades. In recent years, the speed of social change has increased and the complexity in politics and economics has also increased. As such, it has become difficult to look forward appropriate in a timely manner using only conventional methods, and thus the development of various methods is encouraged. Conversely, the formation of a sustainable society faces many difficulties on the international front and many goals for global issues have been set. However, efforts and results for sustainable development are not necessarily desirable. In this study, we examined whether we could effectively solve social problems by combining the development of a foresight approach with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, we reviewed the concepts of sustainable development. Next, we examined the target of SDGs appropriately to convert our foresight activities. Finally, we propose a future public platform (FPP) for scenario planning in foresight. As a result, we found the importance of considering the SDGs in foresight. We also examined the concept of sustainable development, considering how to integrate the SDGs into foresight, and propose the FPP with SDGs. This FPP effectively involves five SDG targets and appears to be highly executable. Though the system of FPP has a certain difficulty, we could exchange information among experts who are studying SDGs and foresight. Thus, as a case study of connections between foresight and SDGs, it would be helpful for other countries.

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A proposal of a new foresight platform considering of sustainable development goals

European Journal of Futures Research A proposal of a new foresight platform considering of sustainable development goals Miki Kuribayashi 0 1 2 3 Kazuhiro Hayashi 0 1 2 3 Shinichi Akaike 0 1 2 3 0 Shinichi Akaike 1 Kazuhiro Hayashi 2 Miki Kuribayashi 3 Ministry of Education , Culture, Sports , Science & Technology (MEXT), National Institute of Science & Technology Policy (NISTEP) , Tokyo , Japan The National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) has conducted foresight activities for decades. In recent years, the speed of social change has increased and the complexity in politics and economics has also increased. As such, it has become difficult to look forward appropriate in a timely manner using only conventional methods, and thus the development of various methods is encouraged. Conversely, the formation of a sustainable society faces many difficulties on the international front and many goals for global issues have been set. However, efforts and results for sustainable development are not necessarily desirable. In this study, we examined whether we could effectively solve social problems by combining the development of a foresight approach with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, we reviewed the concepts of sustainable development. Next, we examined the target of SDGs appropriately to convert our foresight activities. Finally, we propose a future public platform (FPP) for scenario planning in foresight. As a result, we found the importance of considering the SDGs in foresight. We also examined the concept of sustainable development, considering how to integrate the SDGs into foresight, and propose the FPP with SDGs. This FPP effectively involves five SDG targets and appears to be highly executable. Though the system of FPP has a certain difficulty, we could exchange information among experts who are studying SDGs and foresight. Thus, as a case study of connections between foresight and SDGs, it would be helpful for other countries. Foresight; Delphi; Sustainable development; SDGs; Stakeholder Background We need to effectively grasp dynamic changes in society as they are becoming increasingly uncertain and complex. For that, it is important to link the core phases in the foresight process and combine methods to innovate analyses (Popper [ 1 ]). Loveridge [ 2 ] emphasized that active participation by wide spread stakeholders shapes future society. In addition, Yokoo [ 3 ] stated the creation of societal values, the social or * economic conditions for their promotion, and reformation of the stakeholders thought processes are significant to science and technology policy. Kondo [ 4 ] and others developed measures to realize demands of local agents and co-design the solution by digitalization through an action research. Mauser [ 5 ] and others emphasized that researchers and societal stakeholders collaborate on the co-production of knowledge and dissemination of outcomes for sustainable development. With that, the scenario of current activities, which is applicable to societies in which large companies possess considerable technological and human resources, could mitigate tensions between companies, the state, and its citizens (Heinonen [ 6 ]). As such, it has become increasingly important to integrate methods and involve stakeholders in foresight. Our Delphi survey was conducted to identify key S&T topics to realize a societal vision, which consider the structure of future societies. The Delphi topics pertaining to business ethics issues seek to reach consensus on what should be done to resolve ethical dilemmas (San-Jose [ 7 ]). Duckett [ 8 ] revealed the demand for high accountability and to be self-critical through participatory stakeholder engagement scenario planning processes based on Habermas’ concept of ideal speech in the public sphere. Stakeholders can be considered participants in the production of knowledge [ 9 ]. In any society, it is necessary to clarify the meaning of science and technology with probability of importance and uncertainty. Walsh [ 10 ] and others suggested that innovative processes engage multiple stakeholders to envision a more sustainable future infrastructure and co-design the transition towards construction. Additionally, we would like to contribute to solving global issues with international collaboration through foresight activities. Sustainable development refers to various global problems such as economic development in developing countries, cross-border environmental problems, resource constraints, and economic disparity between developed and developing countries. The goals set for sustainable development such as t h e M i l l e n n i u m De v e l o p m e n t Go a l s ( M D G s ) a n d the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were presented by the United Nations (UN) [ 11 ]. Conversely, improvements in foresight methods and activities are rapidly progressing throughout the world to detect emerging issues. Thus, we (...truncated)


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Miki Kuribayashi, Kazuhiro Hayashi, Shinichi Akaike. A proposal of a new foresight platform considering of sustainable development goals, European Journal of Futures Research, 2018, pp. 4, Volume 6, Issue 1, DOI: 10.1007/s40309-017-0130-8