Future Agenda

Global Launch

Terrific event last night in Turkey to launch the Future Agenda book and new website. Big press gathering took place beforehand with lots of TV coverage including Bloomberg, CNBC etc. Main event was held in an old power station that is now a museum and was suitability decked out with lights, banners, dry ice and huge screens. Around 200 people at the launch which included overview of the programme, talks by Vodafone CEO and input from Mike Hardy of the British Council and Peter Childs from Imperial College / RCA as well as sharing of some of the output from the RCA projects. With additional CNBC and BBC coverage taking place today as well as on-line sharing, looks like output will be across a wide audience over next few days. Thanks again to Sevil, Elif and the rest of the team in Istanbul for a great event.

 

Sharing the Approach

Good to talk through Future Agenda approach today with a pharma company as part of an overview of different organisations' takes on foresight. Off to Ireland now to share more views and looking forward to a discussion in Singapore next week on similar topic. Judging by number of downloads of book and ppt pdfs on slideshare, looks like lots of people are making use of the material

Excellent Event in Istanbul

Fantastic event tonight in Istanbul sharing some key insights from the Future Agenda with 200 business leaders. Linked to Vodafone Group board meeting and taking place in a brilliant venue (The Esma Sultan - a converted ottoman palace) overlooking the Bosporus, the evening was a great success in introducing the programme to a new audience, gaining enthusiastic input from the media and setting up the Turkish Future Agenda programme for the next few months. Many thanks to all at Vodafone Turkey from CEO down for hosting such a stimulating and memorable event.

Future Agenda Turkey

Back in Turkey for second time in past two weeks: Ahead of the rest of the world, Vodafone Turkey has launched its own version of the Future Agenda programme today in Istanbul. To kick start the programme fourteen business leaders have contributed their views on topics ranging from the future of currency, future of air travel and future of education through to more specific issues such as mass medical tourism, electric mobility, migration magnets, water management and live experiences.

A dedicated website (www.gelecekgundemde.org) is sharing the initial views and, as the programme goes forward, will act as a focus for new insights from the events and discussions taking place over the next months. All initial perspectives were filmed and samples of the interviews are included on the www.gelecekgundemde.org homepage. Lots of enthusiasm for taking the global insights and building on them to help define a future vision for Turkey. No doubt more news to follow..

Taking things forward with British Council

Very good chat this afternoon with British Council on how the output from the Future Agenda programme can be used as part of stimulus for a new Global Innovation Lab. Next update on this in July but looks great platform for future innovation around the world.

Future of Cities in Mumbai

Really good session this morning bringing together 20 "Mumbaikers" to discuss the Mumbai take on the future of cities. Clearly already one of the most densely populated city around, the challenges and opportunities for change were widely discussed. A great group of people with really passionate informed views. Hosted very kindly by the British Council. Write up underway.

Urban Transport

Excellent event yesterday in Delhi on the future of urban transport. Challenged some of the other views gained from the US, London and Brussels events but also agreed with a number of issues. Brilliant organisation by Mirabilis Advisory. Now in Mumbai preparing for two more events tomorrow and Friday.

Money and Currency at ICRIER

Very good discussion this morning at ICRIER in Delhi on the future of currency and the future of money. Different perspectives to those in the initial points of view but with clear direction and implications for 2020.

Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul

After a bit of a dither looks like Shanghai workshop now all confirmed. As a bonus Singapore on same trip also looks like coming together for Roger and lastly Wendy Schultz may be able to host an event in Seoul. So three additional Asia events in the mix for next few weeks which is great timing to get the views into the book.

Future of Media

Planning all on course for London Future of Media event next week. Just a few final participants to invite to what should be a great discussion. The draft Next Media 2020 Scenarios on the Future of Media from Finland have just arrived for comments and so they are adding some interesting twists on the topics we are going to be looking at.