International foresight’s contribution to globalisation

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the APEC Center for Technology Foresight’s experiences with its first five international foresight projects. The projects are described in some detail to illuminate the kinds of topics addressed, the rationale for their selection and the kinds of conclusions which emerged. The impact of the projects on policy is considered, and important additional benefits are demonstrated, especially their contribution to the creation of a “forward‐thinking” culture among scientists and policy‐makers. Thus, the projects are seen to address critical issues of regional and global concern and, at the same time, to build foresight capacity within the Asia‐Pacific region.