Welcome to the FuturesIreland website

FuturesIreland is an ambitious and creative initiative which will examine the current assumptions and beliefs that orientate practice, thinking and policy making in Ireland and in doing so will work to develop greater insight about future possibilities. The project is being undertaken by the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), at the request of the Department of the Taoiseach and the Social Partners.

The project is designed to develop greater capacity for foresight and innovation across the Irish economy and society as well as in the processes of governance and decision-making. In order to achieve this goal the project design has taken into account lessons learned from a wide-range of Irish and international foresight exercises.

The aim of the project is to develop governance, decision making processes and public policy so that our society — people, communities, businesses and public institutions — has a greater capacity to anticipate and create a future that is consistent with their aspirations.

The project utilises three linked phases of work, which are helping to inspire ‘outside the box’ thinking and imagination, while also remaining grounded in the discourse of policy analysis and decision making. The three phases are one of reflection and validation with senior level actors, search and research among people with cutting-edge experiences and ideas, and analysis and discussion with international experts. In carrying out this project NESDO is, therefore, working with a National Advisory Panel, a Consultative Panel and a number of international experts.

FuturesIreland Conference

Ireland At Another Turning Point - Reviving Development, Reforming Institutions and Liberating Capabilities

photograph of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen T.D. with, from left, Professor Charles Sabel, Mr. Dermot McCarthy and Mr. Peter Cassells

Photograph of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen T.D. with, from left, Professor Charles Sabel (Columbia Law School, New York), Mr. Dermot McCarthy (Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach) and Mr. Peter Cassells (Chair, FuturesIreland)

For further information, please visit our events page.