Media and Development - RNW - Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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Media and Development | Appendix
Appendix – background
information about the
methodologies of future
search and appreciative
enquiry
1. Future Search
Source: www.futuresearch.net
Future Search is a large group planning meeting that brings a “whole system” into
the room to work on a task-focused agenda. It brings people from all walks of life
into the same conversation – those with resources, expertise, formal authority and
need. They meet for 16 hours spread across three days. People tell stories about
their past, present and desired future.
The conference task or theme is of vital importance and is preferably a “burning”
question or issue that evokes the passion of stakeholders in their future. Within
the scope of the conference topic, themes are identified that are supported by
various interest groups (the stakeholders in the future) and that are considered as
most critical to change. In a Future Search Conference participants discover what
they are ready, willing and able to do. Through dialogue they discover their common
ground. Only then do they make concrete action plans.
Principles
A Future Search Conference enables any group to do productive work, applying the
principles below.
“Whole system” in the room
A cross section of many interested parties (the stakeholders), which means more
diversity and less hierarchy than is usual in a working meeting, and multiple input.
Background information about the methodologies of future search and appreciative enquiry 47