Bridging Futures: Connecting Today's Decisions to Tomorrow's Needs

Bridging Futures Event Programme, 16th July 2025.pdf

Attendance is by registration. Please RSVP here to register your interest to attend. Spaces are limited.

The Bridging Futures event, co-sponsored by the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition, The Wales Future Generations Commissioner, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Arizona State University Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, is grounded in a visionary and pragmatic core rationale, namely, to address the urgency and opportunity of this moment in history by connecting generations, sectors and ways of thinking to shape a more just, sustainable and compassionate future.

Bridging Futures aims to inspire system change and foster holistic, ethically driven, future-oriented leadership.

Bridging Futures Distinguished Public Lecture

The day promises a vibrant showcase of the coalition's global impact and will culminate in the inaugural Bridging Futures Distinguished Public Lecture, delivered by Phan Thị Kim Phúc (Kim), UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and global peace advocate. Kim Phúc's iconic image as a child fleeing a napalm attack in Vietnam became a defining symbol of the costs of war. Today, she is a powerful voice for peace, reconciliation, and the healing power of compassion. Her address promises to be a deeply moving and inspiring experience.

The Bridging Futures lecture series signifies a dedication to ensuring that today's decisions lay a strong foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable future, without compromising the lives of future generations in an ever-evolving world.

Why Bridging Futures is a potent concept.

In today's complex global landscape, it is more important than ever to remain mindful of the needs of future generations. The powerful metaphor of a bridge underscores this necessity, signifying the connection of disparate points, people, ideas and resources, in a way that ensures movement and resilience. Bridging Futures strives to build durable connections between present actions and their consequences, laying a foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable future by shifting from reactive to proactive strategies grounded in long-term thinking and fairness for those not yet born.

The event explores some questions that underpin its purpose:

What kind of ancestors do we want to be? This question encourages reflection on our connections to past and future generations and imagine how we can become a ‘good ancestor’ to all those yet to come, thereby expanding our temporal horizons in everyday decisions.
How do we make the well-being of those not yet born central to our actions? Answering this question involves designing resilient, responsive pathways that future generations can rely on, even as circumstances change.
What stories help us think seven generations ahead? This involves exploring how shared storytelling across generations and cultures can inspire ethical, inclusive and sustainable pathways forward.
How do we balance present-day justice with long-term responsibility? This question requires us to address the real-world implications of climate and other policy, particularly with regards how it might increase inequalities.

The programme is woven around several themes:

Intergenerational Justice: Recognising that decisions made today on climate, education, economy and peace will profoundly affect generations not yet born, the event emphasises building bridges to better futures by ensuring current actions account for consequences.
New/Novel Connections Across Time, Sectors, and Worldviews: Designed to dissolve silos and promote collaborative imagination, the event brings together diverse voices and initiatives.
Hope is Active, Not Passive: Bridging Futures is rooted in radical hope and grounded in action. It seeks to uplift and inspire through showcases of youth-led sustainability efforts, creative engagement with global challenges, and projects demonstrating community resilience, such as ‘The Future is Now’ films and ‘Theatre as a Bridge’.

Keynote Speech: Building Bridges to Better Futures

The keynote speech, focussing on connection, imagination, and system change, will be given by Jane Davidson. Former Welsh Minister for Environment and Sustainability and Pro Vice-Chancellor UWTSD; and a key architect of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Introduced by Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner.

A Rich and Interesting Programme from the BRIDGES Hubs and Network

The programme on 16th July will feature a diverse array of contributions from BRIDGES global hubs, coalition members, and community partners. 

Attendees can look forward to engaging sessions highlighting innovations, impactful stories, and collaborative projects from across the BRIDGES network. 

Fireside Chat

A dialogue between Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and Gustavo Merino, Director of Social Policy, UNESCO, focused on the real-world implications of climate policy, grounded in the findings of UNESCO’s latest report.

A high-level roundtable: : Leadership for a Flourishing Future

Featuring leaders in thought, example and action on the intersections of sustainability, policy, education, and culture. Elwen Evans, Vice Chancellor, University of Wales Trinity Saint David Gustavo Merino, UNESCO Director for Social Policy Phan Thị Kim Phúc, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Culture of Peace Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Peter Schlosser, Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures, ASU.

An address from the Kogi Indigenous Community of Colombia

Adding a rich cultural dimension, the day will incorporate short film screenings, workshops, and an address from the Kogi Indigenous Community of Colombia. 

Intergenerational Conversation

An intergenerational conversation will explore co-creating pathways to flourishing futures, setting the stage for a strategic dialogue focused on shaping the BRIDGES agenda for 2025–2028.

Bridge-Builders

In sum, it represents a call to action with imagination, by inviting participants to see themselves as bridge-builders - people who connect ‘now to later’, can carry wisdom forward, and helps shape systems that serve all life.

Every session encourages fresh thinking on how platforms like BRIDGES should evolve to become more inclusive, responsive and impactful for ethical leadership.

Full Programme

Please see the programme for full information.

Attendance is by registration.

Please RSVP here to register your interest to attend.

As spaces are limited, it is possible that your name will be placed on a waiting list. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note:

We kindly ask that each person RSVP individually to ensure adequate space and refreshments.
The event is not suitable for young children. We appreciate your understanding.

Thank you for your interest and support.

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