FORESIGHT FRONTLINES: GLOBAL INSIGHTS ON STRATEGIC FORESIGHT INPOLICY-MAKING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46763/SCGW25112g233aAbstract
In an era marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) (Bennis and Nanus, 1985), governments worldwide are increasingly turning to strategic foresight to anticipate and shape future challenges and opportunities. This paper presents a secondary research analysis of the institutionalization and application of strategic foresight in policy-making across diverse geopolitical contexts. By examining governmental foresight frameworks, national foresight programs, and policy innovation labs from countries including Finland (Heo and Seo, 2021) (OECD, 2022), Singapore (CSF, n/a), Canada (Government of Canada, 2022), and the European Union (European Commission, 2020), the study identifies common patterns, enabling conditions, and obstacles in embedding foresight into governance structures. The research also explores the varied cultural, political, and administrative lenses through which foresight is interpreted and operationalized, offering a comparative perspective on its effectiveness and impact. Ultimately, the paper proposes a typology of foresight adoption in policy-making and offers reflections on how global practices can inform more anticipatory and resilient governance. This contribution aims to enrich the discourse on strategic foresight as a critical competency for future-ready policy development.
Keywords: strategic foresight; policy-making; comparative governance; anticipatory governance; foresight typology
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