iTalks on Government Innovation: Futures thinking and foresight in times of uncertainty, 2026-03-18, Online
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iTalks on Government Innovation: Futures thinking and foresight in times of uncertainty
In times of crisis and uncertainty, public institutions face growing pressure to make decisions that are robust not only for today, but for the long term. Futures thinking and foresight offer a way to navigate this complexity - not by predicting outcomes, but by exploring multiple possibilities, understanding uncertainty, and strengthening decision-making in the present.
In this iTalk, Sanna Rekola, Foresight Specialist at Sitra Finland, will present how foresight can be applied in a concrete and practical way within the public sector. Drawing on Sitra’s extensive experience, the session will showcase tools, methods, and approaches that help integrate futures thinking into everyday policy and governance processes, supporting preparedness, adaptation, and long-term resilience.
The talk will also introduce Sitra’s Futures Barometer - a long-running instrument that captures societal perspectives on the future and supports evidence-informed foresight across Finland. By combining data, participation, and democratic engagement, Sitra’s approach illustrates how foresight can strengthen institutional resilience, improve decision-making, and contribute to more inclusive and forward-looking governance.
Join us on 18 March, 12:30–13:30 CET to explore how futures thinking can help public institutions act with greater confidence and clarity in times of uncertainty.
This session is part of the iTalks on Government Innovation series, hosted by the European Commission Digital Innovation Lab, highlighting practical examples of public sector innovation and digital transformation from across Europe and beyond.
Agenda:
- 12:30 –12:40 Welcome by the European Commission’s Digital Innovation Lab
- 12:40 – 13:10 Presentation by Sanna Rekola
- 13:10 – 13:30 Q&A
