Data Vultures Destroying Democracy?
Podcast of “Data Vultures Destroying Democracy” debate, from the 2022 Festival of Politics, on the increasing role of data in our society and the implications for democracy.
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Information and Disinformation
A Futures Forum debate at the Festival of Politics on 11 August 2022 on disinformation, new media and democracy. In partnership with the CPG on Tibet.
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Summer 2022 Update
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in summer 2022. This includes information on the Festival of Politics in August.
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Democracy 2045: Challenges and Opportunities
A summary of the Futures Forum’s work on the future of democracy from 2021 and 2022: Environment, Technology and Participation.
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COP26: Code Red for Parliaments
This report uses events at COP26 to identify a pathway for Parliaments in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
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Artificial Intelligence and Accountability
This seminar in June 2022 focused on what happens when decisions made by algorithm don’t work as intended: who is accountable and how are they held accountable?
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Parliamentary Responses to Artificial Intelligence
A short review of the responses of Parliaments around the world to the development of artificial intelligence [AI].
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Education Futures: Building a vision for Scottish education
A discussion on 7 June 2022 with the Goodison Group in Scotland on building a compelling vision for Scottish education.
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Spring 2022 Update
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in spring 2022. This includes a chance to share your views on what we should be doing.
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Gaelic Week 2022
To mark Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, the Futures Forum asked several Gaelic speakers to share their views of the future. These are their blogs.
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Highland Visual Arts in the 2040s: A Look Back
A blog by artist and teacher Críostóir de Piondargás on Gaelic visual arts. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, this blog imagines a successful sector in 2045.
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Rewilding
In this blog, Tòmas MacAilpein looks at rewilding – in the Highlands, in the Lowlands for nature and people. I remember walking through a bright wood and into a dark spruce forest. Following the winding path, I come out into the great expanse of upland, my feet feeling their way on the wooden path. I’m…
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2035
A story by Iain Finlay MacLeod about Scotland in 2035 and beyond. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, “2035” is a darkly comic tale of our future.
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The Lights on in the Islands
A blog by Rhoda Meek, a crofter and businesswoman, on Scotland in 2045. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, the blog explores how housing is central to islands communities.
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There’s power in the community
In this blog, Green Instagrammer Iona Whyte tells us how community power and environmental initiatives can come together for the good of Scotland in 2045. Scotland and our public are capable of change in many ways in the next two decades, but we are losing control of how our planet and the environment will change…
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Green and brown
In this blog, broadcaster and ‘gardener of sorts’ John McDiarmid looks at how allotments contribute to community, wellbeing and the environment in the city, and the benefits of growing our own food. My hands are full of mud as I bend down on the allotment, the noise of the M8 running like a stream. But…
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The 2045 legacy of the Queen of Gaelic Song
In this blog, musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy looks back at the life of renowned Gaelic singer Jessie MacLachlan and asks what we can learn from her for the future. In 2045 I shall be 77, if I’m not already just an inscription on some obscure prize at the Mòd or the occasional trawl…
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Windows on the world
In this blog, writer and publisher Màiri Kidd looks at how the translation of literature between languages – large and small – can give us other windows on the world. I was once told, I’m pretty sure – and if it’s not true, I don’t care, because it would be great if it were true…
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Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Ealain-lèirsinneach na Gàidhealtachd anns na 2040an: Sùil Air Ais
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Uinneagan air an t-saoghal
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Ath-fhiadhachadh nam Sgìre Fhìn
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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2035
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Solais laiste nan Eilean
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Tha cumhachd anns a’ choimhearsnachd
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Governing Now for Future Generations
If a week is a long time in politics, how can Parliaments and Governments take decisions for our long-term future? This seminar in March 2022 explored what Scotland can learn from Wales.
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Uaine is donn
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Dìleab Banrigh nan Òran 2045
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic bho Oifigearan Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, ag amas air cur ri lèirsinn a chaidh a chur ri chèile aig tachartas aig…
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Seachdain na Gàidhlig: Views of the Future
To mark Seachdain na Gàidhlig (Gaelic week) this year, the Futures Forum will publish a series of Gaelic blogs specially commissioned for the occasion. In our event on the future of Gaelic in 2019, one participant shared a vision of a Scotland where “Gaelic is visible and audible in public life, with Gaelic routinely used for non-Gaelic…
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Education Futures: Classrooms of the Future
Round-table discussion in March 2022 with Scottish Parliament Education Committee: How will and should the learning experience in schools continue to change alongside developments in society and technology?
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Education Futures: Who should run Scotland’s schools?
Round-table discussion in February 2022 with Scottish Parliament Education Committee: In a time of change, who should run Scotland’s schools?
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Code Red: Parliaments & the Climate and Ecological Emergencies
This COP26 event asked parliamentarians, advisers, citizens & academics to explore how Parliaments must evolve in the context of a Code Red for humanity.
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History, literature, language and a sustainable Scotland
After taking part in a 2021 Festival of Politics event on Scotland as a sustainable society in 2045, writer James Robertson shares his reflections on our future
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Autumn 2021 update
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank from autumn 2021. It includes information on the Festival of Politics and new directors.
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Annual Reports
Published annual reports of Scotland’s Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank.
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Scotland 2045: A Sustainable Society
Online discussion from September 2021: What does a sustainable Scotland look like? How can we build a society that works for all our citizens? What changes do we need to make as individuals?
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Scotland 2045: A Sustainable Society – Privacy Notice
This privacy statement explains how we collect and use personal information as a data controller for the following process: Data provided during the Scotland’s Futures Forum online panel session “Scotland 2045: A Sustainable Society”.
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Search
Scotland’s Futures Forum has been holding events and supporting research since 2005. Over the coming years we’ll be adding more and more resources to our website. You can also explore our work by subject, type and session of the Scottish Parliament since our establishment in 2007.
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Scotland’s Climate Assembly: A call to action
18 August 2021 – Online seminar with Scotland’s Climate Assembly: How should Scotland change to tackle the climate emergency in an effective and fair way?
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Summer 2021 Update
Update on board changes and plans from Scotland’s Futures Forum from summer 2021.
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Review of Session 5
Scotland’s Futures Forum is the Scottish Parliament’s futures think-tank. Our work is designed to inform MSPs and enable them to consider the effects of decisions taken today on Scotland’s long-term future. In the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament, from May 2016 to March 2021, we fulfilled our remit to promote research and to stimulate…
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Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: Doing Politics Differently
Can we do politics differently? This seminar in January 2021 explored what the Scottish Parliament can learn from the work of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland.
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Future Schooling, Education and Learning: Where next for education in Scotland?
Conference asking participants to take a step back from the day-to-day challenges of Covid-19 and consider the future: where next for education in Scotland?
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Where next for education in Scotland? Videos and additional material
As part of our conference with the Goodison Group in Scotland “What’s next for education in Scotland?” , we were keen to highlight the great work and innovation already possible in Scottish education and learning, including anything that has been introduced because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Creative Bravery Festival Team described these as ‘pockets…
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Review of the year: 2020
2020 has been a year like no other. Often, it has been hard for many of us to look beyond the end of the week, let alone into the long-term future. At Scotland’s Futures Forum, like many other places, our work has been curtailed in 2020 as we’ve adapted to changing circumstances. But before the…
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Scotland 2030 Programme
The Scotland 2030 Programme has been an investigation into the kind of country we want Scotland to be in 2030 and beyond. Through it, Scotland’s Futures Forum has explored how Scottish culture and society is changing and will change. We have looked at the issues through different themes and from different perspectives, with the overall…
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Scotland 2030: 10 for 2030
Throughout the Scotland 2030 Programme, our event participants shared their thoughts and ideas on how to approach the future. These are 10 ideas for the Scottish Parliament to consider – with some background information to support them. A Museum of Failure If we don’t fail, we don’t learn. Using the legend of Robert the Bruce…
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Creative reflection | Events and Resources | Major Projects | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections | Session 5
Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections
Stories, artwork and other creative reflections on Scotland’s future produced during the Futures Forum’s Scotland 2030 Programme
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‘Positive view’ needed to tackle Scotland’s challenges of the next decade
Scotland’s Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank, is today publishing the findings of its Scotland 2030 Programme, looking at what sort of country we might become, and what our response might be to the great changes of the next decade and beyond. Open our report: Scotland 2030: A Positive View of Our Future The work,…
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Alba 2030 Sealladh Brosnachail air an Àm ri Thighinn
Tha Prògram Alba 2030 air a bhith na rannsachadh air an t-seòrsa dùthaich a tha sinn a’ miannachadh a bhios ann an Alba ann an 2030 agus nas fhaide air adhart. Troimhe, tha Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air coimhead ri mar a tha cultar agus comann-sòisealta na h-Alba ag atharrachadh agus mar a dh’atharraicheas e…
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Scotland 2030: What do we want, and how can we get there?
Thursday 19 November 2020, 7pm to 8.30pm, online and free As Scotland’s Futures Forum publishes its report into Scotland in 2030 and beyond, join an expert panel at the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics to discuss the kind of country Scotland will be and how we can tackle the challenges ahead. Scotland faces unprecedented change…
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Blog to the Future | Events and Resources | Major Projects | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Society | Session 5 | Society
Scotland 2030: Empathetic, Equitable and Joyful
After her participation in a 2020 Festival of Politics event on Scotland in 2030, chaired by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP, writer and presenter Tomiwa Folorunso shares her reflections on the next 10 years. Open the Scotland 2030: A Positive View of Our Future report Scotland’s Futures Forum has been investigating the kind of Scotland we…
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Scotland 2030: Children’s rights must be at the heart of all that we do
Ahead of his participation in a Festival of Politics panel discussion on Scotland in 2030, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Bruce Adamson shares his reflections on the next 10 years. Planning ahead would be easy if we had a crystal ball, but the Futures Forum’s Scotland 2030 Programme is perhaps the next best…
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Festival of Politics 2020 – looking forward to 2030
Scotland’s Futures Forum is delighted to partner with the Scottish Parliament on its first virtual Festival of Politics, which takes place from Thursday 19 November to Saturday 21 November 2020. With events moving online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire Festival is free to attend. As the Futures Forum brings to a…
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RESEARCH REPORT: “Stealing Our Cities” – City space being overwhelmingly used for private cars
The Scottish Parliament’s think tank, Scotland’s Futures Forum, has today published analysis which shows the large amount of space private cars take up in Scotland’s cities. The aim of the project was to look creatively at the role of transport in climate change by assessing how much space is dedicated to private vehicles in comparison…
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Events and Resources | Health | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Health | Scotland 2030: Mobility | Session 5 | Transport
Stealing our cities: land-use analysis
Land-use analysis of three sites in two Scottish cities shows that private cars are taking more than their fair share of the available space. The research was conducted by Marli de Jongh, a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, during a policy internship funded by SAGES, the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society….
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Arts&Culture | Creative reflection | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections | Session 5
Chrysalis by Laura Scotland
A story by Laura Scotland about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “Chrysalis” explores the experience of a new parent in a world laden with technology.
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Arts&Culture | Creative reflection | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections | Session 5
Saplings by Sophie Charlotte Baumert
A story by Sophie Charlotte Baumert about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “Saplings” follows a school trip into the countryside.
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Arts&Culture | Creative reflection | Scotland 2030 Programme | Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections | Session 5
The Thief and the Watchdog by Katya Bacica
A story by Katya Bacica about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “The Thief and the Watchdog” follows a journey in a very different Edinburgh.
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Scotland 2030 Programme: Short Story Competition
As part of the Futures Forum’s Scotland 2030 Programme – our aspirational exploration of Scotland’s culture and society in 2030 and beyond – we were delighted to support a short story competition to help us imagine the future. We teamed up with Cymera, Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing, and Shoreline of…
