Dr Luke van der Laan

WFSF ACCREDITATION SERVICES LAUNCHED!

FUTURES Studies is pragmatic. It only makes when seen in relation to informing the exercising of human agency. Futures Studies explores possibilities and opens up pathways to achieve better futures. It finds its pragmatic expression in research (futures research) and the practice of foresight. It knows no boundaries in its aspirations of shaping individual lives, communities, the environments within which communities exist and ultimately the world, for the better of humanity.

Futures Studies does not make sense if it does not embrace diversity of opinion of all individuals, communities, cultures and the interests that they represent. It is through this diversity of opinion that Futures Studies realises its purpose of creating visions of the mind in becoming the object of expressing human will (de Jouvenal). As such, it exerts itself as a necessary pre-condition for informed and wise decision making in policy, design, strategy and the many other forms of decision making that exist. It is through this open and participatory expression of human values and aspirations that Futures Studies makes sense.

Accreditation – why?

As an intellectual domain of endeavour, Futures Studies must be seen as a legitimate and orderly field of enquiry – yet unrestrained in its freedom to re-imagine the human condition. If Futures Studies fails to be recognised as a legitimate and valuable source of enquiry, it loses ground and gets consigned to being a fringe activity with limited meaning. It loses its power to influence.

With the establishment of the WFSF Accreditation Services, the Federation seeks to embrace humanity’s diverse perspectives and ways of expressing Futures Studies. The Accreditation Services’ primary focus is to promote the legitimacy and quality of Futures Studies in having wide reaching impact both in its academic endeavour and ultimately, the practice of foresight and through developing systemic anticipation.

By Luke van der Laan

Accreditation – how?

The dual purpose of the WFSF Accreditation Services is to function as an accessible service to the members of the Federation in a) supporting foresight programs in aspiring to achieve high levels of quality education and b) assuring, promoting, and advocating toward enhancing the legitimacy of the field. This will be achieved by providing global stage and recognition of foresight programmes.

The Federation is building a system of support and a learning community that is participatory, empathetic and creative. Regional communities of practice, multilingual points of contact, sharing good practice, debating current concerns, providing training opportunities, providing support pathways for aspiring foresight programs, are just some of the ways the WFSF Accreditation Services will seek to help its members in achieving the aspirations for our field.

In particular the Accreditation Services prioritises: n Emphasising the intellectual and professional value of foresight programmes. n Encouraging innovation and experimentation, growth and

quality in foresight education. n Assuring the quality of foresight programme(s). n Being flexible and useful to a broad range of missions in departments, schools, colleges and universities, which operate under diverse legislative frameworks. n Providing opportunities for self-reflection and sharing in multilingual and diverse learning communities. n Being a transparent and evidence-based programme improvement service.

Accreditation – process?

In addition to establishing numerous learning communities, forums for sharing and training, the WFSF Accreditation Services under the guidance of the Programme Accreditation Council (PAC) will offer formal accreditation of foresight education. This will follow a three-step process and include internationally benchmarked set of standards but be primarily interactive in nature.

The WFSF PAC is at your service! If you are considering being a part of this exciting new initiative or thinking about applying for accreditation, please do not hesitate to contact us at accreditation@wfsf.org

Dr Luke van der Laan (Chair, Programme Accreditation Council)