Global Think Tank, Windsor Castle, UK (2012)

Global Think Tank, Windsor Castle, UK (2012)

Building Sustainable Regional Communities in Today’s World and The Future of Urban Living

Project Overview

The consultation was a partnership between Future iQ and St. Georges House, Windsor Castle. Founded in 1966 by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, St. Georges House is a place where people of influence and responsibility in every area of society can come together to explore and communicate their views and analysis of contemporary issues. Future iQ’s global Think Tank examined the challenge of building sustainable regional communities in today’s world. It examined a range of major global trends and their probable future impact on regional communities, and identified areas of opportunity. With 34 practitioners and leading academics from 11 countries, the event explored a series of key questions critical to building the future of regional economies and communities. Expert speakers, and panels, discussed the key areas of Sustainable Quality of Life, Future Workforces, New Economies, Civic Engagement and Networks, Language and Culture. Lord David Puttnam presented his paper, 'Views of the Future - Dangers and Opportunities', focusing on the future of education.

Future iQ®'s Role in this Project

  • Designed the Global Think Tank, with St Georges House, Windsor Castle.
  • Funded and hosted the event.
  • Invited practitioners and academics from 11 countries to take part over the 2 days, as guests of FiQ.
  • Organised and facilitated the 2 day programme.
  • Produced a comprehensive report from the Global Think Tank which concluded:
    • There is an emerging need for a reconfiguration of local systems, with more ownership of the future.
    • The process of building local and regional engaged networks can offer an important building block to collectively build more responsive regions.
    • Local approaches are essential, to allow people to find their voice, assemble their resources, and to act in a collaborative manner to align their regional systems consistent with their desired future outcomes.
    • There is a need to understand and engage proactively with emerging global trends to build innovative regional economies that build on the inherent local strengths and assets.
View of Windsor Castle David Buerle, CEO of Future iQ, leading the Global Think Tank in Windsor Castle View of the outside of Windsor Castle Global leaders in academics discussing the future of their regional economies

Additional Resources and More Information