WFSF ACCREDITATION SERVICES LAUNCHED! By Luke van der Laan
F
UTURES Studies is pragmatic. It only makes when
Federation seeks to embrace humanity’s diverse perspectives
seen in relation to informing the exercising of human
and ways of expressing Futures Studies. The Accreditation
agency. Futures Studies explores possibilities and
Services’ primary focus is to promote the legitimacy and quality
opens up pathways to achieve better futures. It finds
of Futures Studies in having wide reaching impact both in its
its pragmatic expression in research (futures research) and the
academic endeavour and ultimately, the practice of foresight
practice of foresight. It knows no boundaries in its aspirations
and through developing systemic anticipation.
of shaping individual lives, communities, the environments within which communities exist and ultimately the world, for the better of humanity.
Accreditation – how? The dual purpose of the WFSF Accreditation Services is
Futures Studies does not make sense if it does not embrace
to function as an accessible service to the members of the
diversity of opinion of all individuals, communities, cultures and
Federation in a) supporting foresight programs in aspiring
the interests that they represent. It is through this diversity of
to achieve high levels of quality education and b) assuring,
opinion that Futures Studies realises its purpose of creating visions
promoting, and advocating toward enhancing the legitimacy
of the mind in becoming the object of expressing human will (de
of the f ield. This will be achieved by providing global stage
Jouvenal). As such, it exerts itself as a necessary pre-condition for
and recognition of foresight programmes.
informed and wise decision making in policy, design, strategy and
The Federation is building a system of support and a
the many other forms of decision making that exist. It is through
learning community that is participatory, empathetic and
this open and participatory expression of human values and
creative. Regional communities of practice, multilingual points
aspirations that Futures Studies makes sense.
of contact, sharing good practice, debating current concerns, providing training opportunities, providing support pathways for
Accreditation – why?
aspiring foresight programs, are just some of the ways the WFSF
As an intellectual domain of endeavour, Futures Studies
Accreditation Services will seek to help its members in achieving
must be seen as a legitimate and orderly field of enquiry – yet
the aspirations for our field.
unrestrained in its freedom to re-imagine the human condition. If Futures Studies fails to be recognised as a legitimate and valuable
In particular the Accreditation Services prioritises:
source of enquiry, it loses ground and gets consigned to being a
n Emphasising the intellectual and professional value of
fringe activity with limited meaning. It loses its power to influence. With the establishment of the WFSF Accreditation Services, the
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HUMAN FUTURES
foresight programmes. n Encouraging innovation and experimentation, growth and
