THEME: METHODS AND TOOLS CONTRIBUTING TO FTA FROM ORACLES TO DIALOGUE

Foresight is a broad term that covers different ways to think about the future. The COST Action 22: Foresight Methodologies- Exploring New Ways to Explore the Future was initiated in 2002 with the main objective to develop certain aspects of foresight methodology so as to ensure their systematic use and optimisation of benefits. This paper will discuss the general themes that have arisen from the Action. Foresight is a professional practice that supports significant decisions, and as such it needs to be more assured of its claims to knowledge (methodology). Foresight is practiced across many domains and is not the preserve of specialised ‘futurists’, or indeed of foresight specialists. However, the disciplines of foresight are not well articulated or disseminated across domains, leading to re-inventions and practice that does not make best use of experience in other domains. The maintenance of a ‘futures ’ elite will not serve the cause of society in producing and responding to forward looks. While the above implies the necessity for evaluation and dissemination of foresight practice, this Action chose to focus on the modernisation of foresight methodology. The main finding in this respect was that foresight methodology lacks reflexivity. Reflexivity is a relatively modern epistemological position in the social sciences. Its position is