In a world defined by complexity – climate crises, technological revolutions and geo-political shifts – how do we move beyond reacting to today’s problems to proactively preparing for the future? At a recent Scanning the Horizon community session, we turned to the Horizon 2045 Foresight Radar, a cutting-edge tool, to explore this question. The session was facilitated by our member Climate-KIC along with Horizon 2045.
The session introduced the Horizon 2045 Foresight Radar – a participatory tool that maps signals of change across seven broad themes, from technology and geo-politics to the environment and social dynamics. What sets it apart is its ability to go beyond cataloguing trends, instead inviting users to explore interconnections, imagine plausible scenarios, and engage in collaborative, systems-level thinking.
As we delved into the radar during the session, participants were struck by the diversity and scale of signals it tracks – more than 500 spanning the globe. It challenged us to ask: How do these signals connect? What stories do they tell about the future? And how can we act on them?
One breakout activity, “Radar Roulette”, was a playful yet revealing exercise. Participants explored random signals on the radar and debated their implications. Whether discussing advancements in AI or shifts in global health governance.
For CSOs, the radar can be a practical tool. Futures thinking equips organisations to step out of crisis-response mode and adopt longer-term, systemic approaches. The session reinforced that horizon scanning can help CSOs to spot early signals of disruption or opportunity for transformation, build adaptive strategies that are flexible to change, and strengthen collaboration by connecting diverse actors across disciplines and geographies.
For civil society organisations, the Horizon 2045 Foresight Radar is more than just an intellectual exercise – it’s a transformative tool. Futures thinking empowers organisations to step out of reactive, crisis-response modes and adopt long-term, systemic strategies. The session underscored that horizon scanning helps (I)CSOs identify early signals of disruption or opportunity, craft flexible and adaptive strategies, and foster collaboration across disciplines and geographies. By using the radar, (I)CSOs can make informed decisions today that will pave the way for a more resilient and equitable tomorrow.
Let’s use tools such as the Horizon 2045 Foresight Radar to anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a future that works for both people and the planet. Together, we can move beyond merely reacting to crises and instead create strategies that transform and inspire.
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Feature image: Adapted still of the Horizon 2045 Foresight Radar designed by Pupul Bisht.
Alexandra Schlegel
Programme and Events Officer
International Civil Society Centre
Alexandra joined the Centre in January 2022. Her background is in Political Science and International Relations. She holds a MA in International Relations from Leiden University in the Netherlands next to her BA in Political Science and History from the University of Tübingen, Germany. In her master thesis, Alexandra wrote about the humanitarian impacts of migration agreements. During her studies, she was strongly engaged in voluntary work with different international organisations. She has lived in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands as well as Jordan and is currently living in Berlin.
