Foresight and Convivence: Anticipating the Future to Live Better Together
Convivence has become a central challenge of our time. Faced with rapidly evolving social, environmental, economic, and cultural transformations, Convivence can no longer rely solely on isolated responses, nor even on simple short-term anticipation. It requires a genuine foresight approach, capable of exploring possible futures in order to guide present action towards more balanced, supportive, and sustainable ways of living.
Foresight first plays a role in raising awareness. Short and participatory “flash foresight” exercises help people become aware of ongoing changes and future uncertainties. Through scenarios, future narratives, or uncertainty matrices, these approaches encourage the expression of diverse viewpoints and stimulate collective dialogue. They strengthen mutual listening and bring shared values to light —essential conditions for genuine convivence.
Beyond awareness, foresight provides tools to understand complexity. The systems we inhabit—territories, economies, ecosystems—are shaped by interdependencies and long-term dynamics. Foresight approaches offer a systemic reading of these realities: identifying key variables, mapping stakeholders, exploring alternative futures, and debating strategic directions. This shared analysis helps move beyond fragmented viewpoints toward a more comprehensive understanding of long-term challenges.
This shared understanding encourages more coherent and socially acceptable decisions, strengthening Convivence through the recognition of collective responsibilities.
Finally, foresight is an essential tool for addressing risk and resilience. Faced with future crises —climatic, health-related, social, or economic— it is not enough simply to identify threats. A collective capacity for adaptation must also be developed. Analysing vulnerabilities, exploring crisis scenarios, and encouraging participatory approaches make it possible to develop flexible and cooperative responses.
These exercises show that resilience is not merely technical: it is deeply relational. It depends on trust, the quality of social ties, and cooperation. By fostering a shared culture of anticipation, foresight nourishes Convivence and guides collective action towards responsibility and solidarity.
Anticipating the future does not mean predicting it but creating together the conditions to decide today the world in which we wish to live tomorrow in Convivence.
