Looking Back at "Bridging Futures"

Reflecting on the incredible insights and passion from the BRIDGES General Assembly event "Bridging Futures: Connecting Today’s Decisions to Tomorrow’s Needs" at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, which took place just over a year ago.

This gathering brought together global leaders, policymakers, youth voices, Indigenous representatives, and changemakers for a day of vital conversations, workshops, and shared wisdom.

Key Highlights & Moments:

• The Inaugural Bridging Futures Lecture: Delivered by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Culture of Peace, Phan Thị Kim Phúc, inspiring attendees with a powerful message of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

• Insightful Keynotes & Chats: Featuring a keynote address by former Wales Minister of Environment and Sustainability Jane Davidson; a fireside chat between Wales Future Generations Commissioner Derek Walker and UNESCO Director of Social Policies Gustavo Merino; and an Intergenerational Conversation exploring how the stories we tell shape the futures we imagine and build.

• Cultural Wisdom & Address: A special cultural address and ritual shared by Kogi Ambassador Jose Manuel, offering deep perspectives on humanity's relationship with the natural world.

• Inspiring Initiatives: Showcase of Projects Associated with BRIDGES Hubs, member institutions, and strategic partners.

• Participatory Workshops: Engaging sessions including a Futures workshop led by the Future Generations Office, and interactive sessions delivered by Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museums Wales).

• Stirring Film Screenings: Including Gonawindua: The Heart of the World, trailer of the Kogi performance; Greenland RESPONSE; A Warrior’s Message: Milton Born with a Tooth; The Future is Now; and a series of short films showcasing BRIDGES and partners initiatives including: Coastal TALES, Club of Rome’s 5th Element, The Earth Humanity Coalition, Future Generations Cymru Can, and Representing Climate Change.

A heartfelt thank you to all the presenters, speakers, coalition members, partners and participants who joined us in building bridges toward a thriving planetary future for all!

You can look back with us by visiting the Bridging Futures page where you will find information on all of the sessions and a gallery with a selection of photos spanning the day.

We also share recordings of the sessions on our YouTube channel.

Looking back through these intimate, authentic, and often moving sessions, in each one we feel a real connection to the human being and our shared humanity. They reveal a genuine warmth, inviting us to connect on a deeply human level.

We hope you enjoy these captured moments of what was a truly special and meaningful day.

You can view the Programme here.

Thank you to our event sponsors and co-organisers, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, and Office of the Wales Future Generations Commissioner.