Executive Foresight Programme for GCC Delegates in Finland

Finland, September 9-13, 2024 – Futures Diamond, in collaboration with the Futures Capacity Academy and the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) at the University of Turku, successfully hosted a 5-day Executive Foresight Programme in Finland. This immersive initiative brought together 20 influential leaders from the GCC region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, to develop advanced foresight capabilities tailored to their economic and organisational needs.

Applying the SMART Foresight Process
The programme followed the SMART Foresight methodology, guiding participants through its key phases:
* Scoping: The journey began with defining the objectives and scope of foresight initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
* Mobilising: Participants explored stakeholder mapping and cross-impact analysis to effectively engage and align diverse actors critical to foresight projects.
* Anticipating: Scenario planning, weak signal detection, and wild card analysis were used to address disruptive trends such as AI, critical raw materials, and energy transitions.
* Recommending: Sessions focused on actionable roadmapping and innovation strategies, including insights on smart city digital twins and Finland’s pioneering R&D funding initiatives.
* Transforming: The programme culminated in presentations where participants demonstrated their ability to apply foresight tools to create impactful strategies in areas like cybersecurity and the hydrogen economy.

Beyond the Classroom
Complementing the academic sessions were enriching cultural experiences, including a dinner cruise through Helsinki’s maritime landscape and a visit to Nuuksio National Park. These activities highlighted Finland’s sustainable practices and cultural heritage, reinforcing the interconnectedness of foresight and socio-cultural understanding.

Driving Global Collaboration and Innovation
This programme exemplifies Futures Diamond’s commitment to building foresight capacity and fostering innovation through global collaboration. We are grateful to the GCC participants, collaborators, and expert speakers whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Special thanks go to our esteemed partners and contributors from the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC), Aalto University, Business Finland, the Prime Minister’s Office of Finland, and many other experts who shared their knowledge and insights throughout the programme. Their expertise was crucial in delivering a comprehensive and enriching experience for all participants.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated lecturers, including Rafael Popper, Torsti Loikkanen, Jusa Susia, Helena Sarén, Janne Järvinen, Toni Ahlqvist, Tolga Karayel, and Antti Pelkonen, whose valuable contributions made this programme an outstanding success.

Futures Diamond remains committed to promoting foresight, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration on a global scale, and we look forward to continuing our work with both the GCC and international partners to shape the future of strategic thinking and innovation.