The Centre for the Future

The Centre for the Future is interested in how social, scientific and technological developments are shaping the future.The world changes so quickly it's hard to keep up. New inventions and innovations alter the way we live.  

 

People's values, attitudes, and beliefs are changing. And the pace of change keeps accelerating, making it difficult to prepare for tomorrow. By studying the future, people can better anticipate what lies ahead. More importantly, they can actively decide how they will live in the future, by making choices today and realizing the consequences of their decisions. 

 

The future doesn't just happen: People create it through their action -- or inaction -- today. 

 

No one knows exactly what will happen in the future. But by considering what might happen, people can more rationally decide on the sort of future that would be most desirable and then work to achieve it. Opportunity as well as danger lies ahead, so people need to make farsighted decisions. The process of change is inevitable; it's up to everyone to make sure that the change is constructive. 

The Centre strives to serve as a neutral clearinghouse for ideas about the future. Ideas about the future include forecasts, recommendations, and alternative scenarios. These ideas help people to anticipate what may happen in the next 5, 10, or more years ahead. When people can visualize a better future, then they can begin to create it. 

Objectives 

 

The objectives of the Centre for the Future are: 

 

1. To contribute to a reasoned awareness of the future and the importance of its study. 

 

2. To advance serious and responsible investigation of the future. 

 

3. To promote the development of methods for the study of the future. 

 

4. To increase public understanding of future-oriented studies. 

 

5. To facilitate communication and cooperation among organizations and individuals interested in studying or planning for the future. 

 

ACTIVITIES 

 

• Meetings: Monthly or bi-monthly meetings with programs. Networking meetings, where members meet with each other without a formal program. 

 

• Field trips. trips to local facilities of interest, such as museums, exhibits, animal reserves, observatories, etc. 

 

• Conferences. Usually one- or two-day affairs, inviting local speakers, and from around the world to discuss topics of interest to the local area. 

• Speeches. Members can give presentations to local organizations and schools in order to "spread the word" about futures-oriented topics. 

 

• Newsletters. Printed or electronic newsletters on a regular basis to keep members informed of upcoming activities and to publicize events. 

 

FUNCTIONS 

 

• Persons interested in Futures Studies and Foresight Tools can meet each other face-to-face or electronically and discuss the issues that concern them. 

 

• Local experts can be identified and their expertise shared with people in the locality. 

 

• A knowledgeable person can make a presentation before people in the community who are interested in what he or she may have to say. 

 

• Government officials, business leaders, educators, and others in the local area can become acquainted with foresight tools and the general field of futures studies. 

 

The Centre is also present on the ITS E-Learning Site with videos and other educational material. Click here to access the page and login as a 'guest'. 

 

Anyone wishing to become an Associate of the Centre for the Future may write to: 

 

Mr Raymond J. Vassallo  

Institute of Tourism Studies 

St. Julian's - Malta 

Tel: +356 23793274; +356 21372419  

Fax: +356 21375472 

e-mail: ray.vassallo@gov.mt