In her Op-Ed “UN@75 & the Future We Want”, Julia Stamm, Founder & CEO of the Futures Project, stated that with the current global pandemic, it is pertinent to tackle the current situation alongside addressing future challenges. “Responding to the urgent needs of the moment while keeping the futures we want in our field of vision requires us to be intentional and thoughtful about the choices we make now”, said Dr. Stamm. The Futures Project stands at the intersection for present and future conversation, propagating the ideology that problem solving in the present can only take place effectively keeping in mind the conception of what comprises a desirable future.
Dr. Stamm discussed the stark inequalities that the world has grown comfortable with, but which need to be tackled for the greater good of society. For example, practices such as social distancing that are critical to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are practically impossible for those without stable housing, access to food and water, and a stable source of income.
The UN75 Global Conversation initiative in 2020 addresses precisely these critical questions about the future: What kind of future do we want to create? Are we on the right track? What do we need to bridge the gap? Although these questions may seem out of place given the state of the current crisis, it is imperative to remember that crisis response and future planning go hand-in-hand.
“Our commitment during this time is to serve as a steward of thinking and doing that helps us all keep the futures we want to inhabit, and the futures we hope future generations can inhabit, in our field of vision”, said Dr. Stamm. The Futures Project’s current initiative, Innovators for the Future, bridges reflection and action, thinking and doing, by building off of the aforementioned UN75 questions.
Read Dr. Julia Stamm’s article here.