Can science fictioning, co-creation, and other innovative, design-centered foresight techniques find fertile ground within the marble halls of government? Find out in this critical examination of strategies, methods and lessons from the project, Economic Futures for Ontario 2032 (EFO). Led by Strategic Innovation Lab (sLab) at OCAD University, in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary governmental working group, EFO explores challenging futures for Canada’s most populous and diverse province. The project attracted hundreds of participants from public and private sectors.
Balancing creativity and surprise with evidence and policy relevance, EFO is a demonstration initiative designed to boost organizational learning through scanning, scenarios, and strategic implications. The joint sLab/government team co-authored together, producing unexpected ideas and exceptional stakeholder ownership. As governments cope with shifting public sentiment, dwindling coffers, and rising complexity, need has never been greater for innovative anticipatory planning. In this session we’ll interrogate a path with real risks and rewards.
First presented at WorldFutures 2013, Chicago.