Foresight - or future thinking - provides scope for people to think about the future and use this to model and respond to potential prospective circumstances.

In an ever-changing world, it asks us to think about our future, what challenges are on the horizon, and how we can address them to achieve shared outcomes. The media is both a window into, and a shaper of the ideologies and behaviours of society, and through looking at the discourses within it we can identify signals about our future.

About the event

This event launches a Guide created on the EUARENAS project that combines media discourse analysis with future-thinking approaches. Through a series of practical activities and step-by-step instructions, the Guide enables practitioners from different sectors to use media discourses as source material for signals about our future and to explore the drivers of change in society.

At this event, we will talk you through the different elements of the Guide, where to access it and its associated resources and answer your questions on working with people and communities in practically applied foresight work.

Who is it for?

This event is open to anyone living or working in the UK and Europe, interested in delivering 'future-thinking' and 'foresight' activities in practical ways. We think the guide would be particularly useful for:

• applied and participatory researchers
• policymakers
• public service workers
• civil society actors
• co-production facilitators
• community organisers
• activists

About the EUARENAS project

EUARENAS is a Horizon 2020 funded project that explores cities as arenas of political innovation in the strengthening of deliberative and participatory democracy. This applied and mixed-methodological research project is responding to a major European challenge – the need to strengthen legitimacy of and the identification and engagement with a democratic public sphere. You can find out more about the project on this website.

Please note: The workshop will be held on Zoom and a link will be provided to attendees upon registration.

The information and views set out in this event are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Financial Support

We have 2 financially supported places avaliable at this event up to the value of £20.00. These places are designed to open-up access to the event to people who may otherwise be unable to attend by:

1. Providing payment of £20.00 upon receipt of an invoice from people who are unwaged and/or in non-salaried roles (i.e. people who work freelance, people who are paid by the hour and this event would not be included in their general pay etc.)

2. Covering eligible expenses (e.g. internet/data costs) up to a maximum of £20.00 upon receipt of invoices/receipts

3. Contributing to support costs (e.g. PA support) up to a maximum of £20.00 upon receipt of invoices/receipts

When you book your place at this event, the form will ask you if you are applying for a finanically supported place. The places will be provided on a first-to-apply basis and we will notify you of this before the event. We look forward to seeing you at the event!