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Future Search
it is a principle-based, tasked-focused planning meeting, designed to help participants act on their capacity for action and create new forms of cooperation that continue for months or years. The method is designed to accommodate as many as 100 people in one room or hundreds of people in parallel rooms. Future Search uses mutual learning as a catalyst for voluntary action and follow-up.
Future Search Method
Future Search is a principle-based, tasked-focused planning meeting, designed to help participants act on their capacity for action and create new forms of cooperation that continue for months or years. The method is designed to accommodate as many as 100 people in one room or hundreds of people in parallel rooms. Future Search uses mutual learning as a catalyst for voluntary action and follow-up.
The method is based on the following principles:● Get the "whole system" in the room. Invite a significant cross- section of all parties with a stake in the outcome – those with authority, resources, expertise, information and need.● Explore the "whole elephant” before seeking to any part". ● Get everyone talking about the same world. ● Think globally, act locally. ● Put common ground and future focus front and center while treating problems and conficts as information, not action items. ● Encourage self-management and responsibility for action by participants before, during and after the Future Search.
Origins and DevelopmentThe Future Search meeting method was designed over 50 years by practitioners Sandra Janoff and Marv Weisbord. It is informed by many theories and principles tested in a broad range of cultures. Future Searches have been run in every sector of society all over the world.
Participant Recruitment and SelectionA cross-selection of relevant stakeholders – those with authority, resources, expertise, information and needs particular to the issue – are invited to take part.
How it Works: Process, Interaction, and Decision-Making.Future Searches generally run for 20 hours across five 1/2 day sessions.
Day 1: Afternoon
Focus on the Past: participants create time lines to illustrate key events in the world, their own lives, and in the topic under consideration at the meeting. Participants are then convened in small groups to share their time line and discuss its implications on their work.Focus on Present, External Trends: Participants are convened as a whole group to create a “mind map” of trends affecting them now and to identify the key trends for their topic.
Day 2: Morning
Focus on Present, External Trends: stakeholder groups describe their current activities and future plans/goals.Focus on Present: stakeholder groups report their successes and regrets in dealing with the Future Search topic.
Day 2: Afternoon
Ideal Future Scenarios: participants are split into diverse groups and asked to imagine themselves in the future and to describe what it would optimally be and look like.Identify Common Ground: each group records the themes they reached a consensus on.
Day 3: Morning & Early Afternoon
Confirm Common Ground: participations are convened as a whole group to discuss and come to agreement on the themes of common ground. Common Ground Statements are written by volunteers to reflect the will of those present.Action Planning: volunteers sign up to implement action plans.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Future Search meetings are designed to move beyond planning and into action.
Action plans devised during the meetings are put into work immediately following the conference. Planners are encouraged to build connections during the event and to obtain commitments to and support for the actions resulting from the process.
Follow up
According to its developers, the best time to act on an action plan is right after the meeting, and to do so quickly and effciently. The longer the implementation process, the less effective it will be.
The designers suggest each action group convenes small versions of the Future Search to keep members focused and on common ground. Review Meetings that revisit action outcomes are generally held 6 – 9 months after the initial meeting
Future Search Facilitators in Ukraine
Maryana Zaviyska
An independent management consultant, facilitator, research and development expert
Expertise: organizational development, leadership coaching, stakeholder dialogues and collaborations, mentorships for individuals and organizations, and action research processes.
Future Search PractitionerSince 2013
Taras Tymchuk
An independent management consultant, facilitator, research and development expert
Taras's expertise in Future Search, a method for hosting productive meetings, comes from direct training with the technique's creators, Marvin Weisbod and Sandra Janof. His journey began in 2012 when he participated in a specialized workshop on Productive Meetings in Berlin. The following year, he deepened his knowledge by completing specialized training in Future Search facilitation in Antwerp. Since mastering this method, Taras has successfully facilitated and co-facilitated over 10 meetings in the Future Search format.
Beyond his facilitation work, Taras is an active member of the Future Search Network. He plays a role in spreading the knowledge and application of the Future Search method in Ukraine, sharing his experiences and insights with the global community of Future Search practitioners. Through his efforts, Taras contributes to the growing awareness and adoption of this effective meeting facilitation technique worldwide.
Future Search PractitionerSince 2013
Oleksandra Tselishcheva
A facilitator, civil society, MEL, strategic planning professional
Expertise: developing monitoring and evaluation tools for project, programs and organizations, trainings design and facilitation. Oleksandra is good in development policies, procedures and guidelines, preparation analytical materials
Future Search PractitionerSince 2017
Bright moments from our Future Search Meetings
Our Future Search Portfolio
Here is the list of meetings facilitated by our team
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