16 July 2025, Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wales, UK.
This event was 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.
At the core of Bridging Futures: to inspire system change and foster holistic, ethically driven, future-oriented leadership.
Bridging Futures Inaugural Distinguished Public Lecture
The day was a vibrant showcase of the coalition's global impact, culminating in the inaugural Bridging Futures Distinguished Public Lecture, delivered by Phan Thị Kim Phúc (Kim), UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and global peace advocate. Her address was a deeply moving and inspiring experience. Read more on Kim’s breath-taking speech in the 'Bridging Futures Public Lecture' tab above.
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.
The programme was woven around several themes:
Bridge-Builders
In sum, the Bridging Future General Assembly 2025 represented 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 encouraged fresh thinking on how platforms like BRIDGES should evolve to become more inclusive, responsive and impactful for ethical leadership.
Co-sponsored by: 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.
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The opening session featured a series of welcome addresses from the four principal collaborating organisers. These addresses established the event's core mission: ensuring that present-day decisions are ethically grounded for the benefit of future generations.
Steven Hartman, Executive Director, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition
Steven Hartman outlined the foundational vision of the BRIDGES Coalition. He emphasised the coalition’s unique role as a humanities-led sustainability science initiative within UNESCO’s Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme. He discussed the necessity of shifting sustainability discourse from purely technical or scientific data towards a "human-centred" approach. His address focused on how the coalition bridges the gap between global policy and local community action, setting the stage for the General Assembly as a space to co-create pathways for planetary flourishing.
Luci Attala, Deputy Executive Director, BRIDGES / Director BRIDGES UK Hub, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)
Luci Attala highlighted the event as a "landmark moment" for interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration. She spoke about the importance of the university’s role in hosting the BRIDGES International Programme Office and UK Hub, and how the event physically and metaphorically "built bridges" between generations. Her address focused on the need to dismantle the "silos" of academic disciplines to address global disruption with a unified, compassionate response.
Peter Schlosser, Vice President and Vice Provost for Global Futures, Arizona State University (ASU)
Speaking on behalf of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU, Peter Schlosser addressed the urgent need for global-scale institutional change. He emphasised that the current climate crisis requires a fundamental reimagining of our relationship with the planet. Schlosser highlighted ASU’s commitment to "Global Futures" and explained how the partnership with BRIDGES allows for a synthesis of high-level scientific research and the ethical, narrative-driven insights provided by the humanities.
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
Derek Walker provided the legislative and ethical roots of the session, drawing on the unique context of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. He discussed the moral and legal responsibility of current leaders to act as "good ancestors" to the "voiceless yet-to-be-born." Walker spoke about the "Mission Cymru" principles and the importance of Welsh internationalism. His address underscored the event’s relevance as a practical application of long-term thinking, showing how Wales’s pioneering policy framework can serve as a global model for connecting "now to later."
Building Relationships
Collectively, these addresses framed the Bridging Futures event as a "coming together of a global people." The speakers established a shared rationale: to address the urgency of history by building relationships across sectors, generations, and worldviews.
This session introduced some of the workflows associated with our global BRIDGES Hubs.
Moderator: Luci Attala, Deputy Executive Director, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES
Panel: Carlos Alvarez Pereira, The Fifth Element, The Club of Rome Knowledge-Action Hub; Louise Steel, Coastal Tales, The UK Hub; Roman Bartosch, Advice — Communication — Application: Policy Strategies at the Cologne Hub, The Hub for Planetary Wellbeing, University of Cologne; Kirsti Bohata, REPAIR: Biophilic project, The UK Hub; Joni Adamson, BRIDGES Humanities Labs, ASU BRIDGES Flagship.
This dynamic, intergenerational session brought together diverse voices to explore how the stories we tell shape the futures we imagine and build. In a world marked by accelerating climate change, social inequality, and shifting global narratives, how can shared storytelling across generations inspire more ethical, inclusive and sustainable pathways forward?
Moderator: Allison Pierok, Director of Programmes, Globethics.
Panel: Steven Hartman, Executive Director, BRIDGES Coalition, Literature scholar; Bethany Wiggin, Climate Storytelling: connecting climate stories for youth-Led, community-driven change; Chris Pak, author exploring how science fiction mediates our understanding of climate change and the future; Al Attala, world building artist with an interest in politics.
Cultural address & ritual delivered by Kogi Ambassador, Jose Manuel.
Session 4: A powerful cultural address & ritual delivered by Kogi Ambassador, Jose Manuel.
Kogi Ambassador, Jose Manuel Sauna Mamatacan, Translated by Paula Rodriguez, delivered a special cultural address, sharing Kogi wisdom about relationships with the natural world, and a powerful ritual which captured the presence of all who came together and experienced this as One. We do not need to speak the same mother tongue to feel, to be as One. And as One with Nature.
The indigenous Kogi people of Columbia have deep concerns about the environmental changes impacting the natural world. Jose Manuel and his community feel driven to share their message in the hope of reshaping perceptions of the physical world.
The Kogi are guardians of ancient Indigenous wisdom and maintain that they have divine responsibility of caring for the earth, given to them by the Great Mother, Aluna (trans. spirit) from the dawn of time or when the world was born from her thoughts.
For the Kogi, life must be achieved in line with maintaining balance through their ancient cultures and traditions including ritual, dance, song and ceremony. They maintain that their connection to Mother Earth, who is alive beneath our feet, is crucial for keeping the world in balance, ensuring all species can thrive.
Munekan Masha: Reviving Water in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a project which focuses on the regeneration of water, flora and fauna, and clarifies the importance and value of Kogi knowledge and methods in protecting and sustaining nature.
Life is sacred and must be protected. Everything is connected. Everything has an important function to maintain balance. Human beings are part of this natural order. It is vital to live in peace and harmony with Nature. And to respect Nature’s changes.
The Kogi message is simple - We must take care of our planet because it is the Home of All.
It was an honour to be blessed with this powerful and important sharing of the Kogi perspective at this event built around coming together as a global community to think about building bridges towards a thriving planetary future for all. BRIDGES are hugely thankful to our valued coalition members The Kogi, represented by Jose Manuel.
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Moderator: Joni Adamson, BRIDGES Flagship Hub Director, ASU
Panel: Louis Klein, Tamkeen Foundation for Human Development; Erika Robrahn González, Vice President of the UISPP; Piero Dominici, CHAOS, University of Perugia; Rowan Jackson, Researcher, NABO, Environmental Change in the Circumpolar North; Barny Haughton, Cegin y Bobl
An interactive session led by Petranka Malcheva, designed to help us build bridges between past, present and future. Participants were guided through a reflection on the connections we already have to past and future generations; on imagining how we can become good ancestors to all future generations; and on considering how we can expand our temporal horizons in our everyday decisions.
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. The report titled, Who Bears the Cost? Addressing inequality from climate change and climate action, asks the question, ‘Can climate policies increase inequalities?’ And answers, yes. The document advocates for integrated, inclusive policies that embed fairness from the outset, focusing on social protection, technology transfer and gender-sensitive approaches to ensure a just and sustainable future for all.
Amgueddfa Cymru believes everyone has the right to belong, to understand their past, and to envision a better future. This workshop explored how Welsh museums are becoming more inclusive, amplifying unheard voices and fostering intergenerational dialogue to help build a better Wales and a better world.
CREDITS Artistic Direction: Nube Sandoval y Bernardo Rey.
Performance created thanks to the partnership between the Gonawindúa Tairona Organization (OGT) and CENIT Theatre. General Production of Teatro CENIT, co-produced by Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y los Saberes and Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo Video production: Teatro Digital of Teatro Mayor and Caracol Television. Musical direction and production: Christian Castagno Photography: Juan Diego Castillo, Tatiana Llinás, Jeremy Wheleham and Juan Camilo Segura Teatro Cenit’s innovative Theatre as Bridge approach transforms theatre into a tool for connection and empowerment. Rooted in social engagement, it builds bridges between individuals and communities, especially in vulnerable or marginalised areas, through artistic projects across Colombia, Ecuador, the USA, Europe, and Kenya.
This session asked, how can BRIDGES become a more inclusive, responsive and impactful platform for ethical leadership and global collaboration?
What new directions, partnerships or formats might be explored? This dynamic and participatory session invited fresh thinking on how the BRIDGES should evolve both in Wales and internationally. Participants were encouraged to contribute creative ideas and practical insights to help shape the next phase of BRIDGES’ development, and to share their vision. This session was as much about listening as it was about co-creating.
Moderator: Steven Hartman, Executive Director of BRIDGES
Panel: Gustavo Merino, Director of Social Policy, UNESCO, Social and Human Science Sector; Erika Robrahn González, Vice President of the UISPP; Peter Schlosser, Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures, ASU; Carlos Alvarez Pereira, Secretary General of The Club of Rome; Janani Ramanathan, Secretary General of the World Academy of Art and Science; Bethany Wiggin, Founding Director of Penn Program in the Environmental Humanities, U Pennsylvania
An engaging, entertaining, thoughtful, and insightful keynote. Focussing on connection, imagination, and system change, poignantly relevant and full of hope; shared by Jane Davidson. Former Welsh Minister for Environment & 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.
Derek Walker set the stage by highlighting the urgent need for "delivery and implementation" of the goals Jane Davidson helped set in motion a decade prior.
Jane emphasised that the "bridges" we need are not just physical, but conceptual. She argued for breaking down the silos between government departments, generations, and disciplines to create a unified approach to the climate and nature emergencies.
She challenged the audience to use imagination as a tool for policy, asking, "What kind of ancestors do we want to be?" We cannot build a future we haven't first dared to imagine in detail.
Jane spoke about the necessity of institutionalizing long-term thinking. She used the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act as a case study for how legislation can force a shift from reactive, short-term fixes to proactive, intergenerational justice.
At the heart of the programme was a deeply moving and widely praised lecture by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Phan Thị Kim Phúc. Known internationally as the ‘Napalm Girl’ from the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of the Vietnam War, Kim has since become a powerful advocate for peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness.
Compassion and Global Responsibility
Her address left a lasting impression on all who attended, interweaving her personal story with a broader call for compassion and shared global responsibility. She was introduced by UWTSD’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elwen Evans KC, who offered a heartfelt and warm welcome, reflecting on Kim’s global impact and the significance of her message in today’s world.
In her lecture, Kim shared how for a long time she had struggled with the fame and shame associated with the image, feeling it defined her as a victim. However, her journey of healing and forgiveness has transformed her inside and allowed her to find personal peace and freedom. Kim’s life and how she shaped her path forward, is truly a testament to the healing power of love and forgiveness.
Powerful advocate for Peace
Kim’s personal journey has also transformed the image of her to the world from a symbol of victimhood into a powerful advocate for peace. She has spent decades travelling the world, sharing her story, and using her platform to promote compassion and reconciliation. Her work as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and through her own foundation, The KIM Foundation International, Kim focuses on providing aid to child victims of war and violence.
“Peace begins with compassion for ourselves, for each other, and for the planet,” Phan Thị Kim Phúc said, reflecting on her time in Swansea. “I shared not only my story, but a message that pain can be transformed into purpose, and that together, we can build a more just and peaceful future.”
A Message of Hope and Forgiveness
Kim’s incredible personal journey shows the strength of mind, heart, and spirit that Kim holds within, that enabled her to transform her pain into purpose. She spoke about the power of forgiveness as an active process of releasing bitterness and pain and finding choices and freedom. She recounted her eventual meeting with the American officer who participated in coordinating the attack on her village, a moment she described as a testament to the profound healing that can occur through empathy and reconciliation. This was one of the many moments in Kim’s speech that held the audience breathless.
Her message resonated deeply with everyone, serving as a message of peace; that even in the face of unimaginable trauma, the human spirit can choose compassion, reconciliation, and hope. Her life’s work demonstrates that personal transformation can, in turn, inspire global change, highlighting the importance of building bridges across cultures, generations, and divides.
Capturing the hearts of all present
The energy in the hall was tender with shared emotion as Kim Phuc Phan Thi concluded her lecture. The audience, a diverse group from Wales and across the globe, rose as one in a spontaneous and sustained standing ovation. There wasn't a dry eye in the room as people clapped, the applause a powerful wave of appreciation for Kim’s courage and her message of peace and forgiveness.
Kim's words were truly informative with wisdom and lessons for present times, while deeply moving everyone present; they were a balm for the heart, a testament to the power of human resilience and the tenderness that can emerge even from the deepest suffering. The feeling of shared empathy and hope was palpable; Kim’s lecture was a deeply transformative, hugely emotional and connecting experience.
After Kim’s incredible speech and the resounding applause, the room fell silent. It felt like everyone shared the same sense of needing to just be, and to just feel, for a moment. Instead of the scheduled round table, it felt right to sit with Kim’s words for longer and to give everyone present the opportunity to ask Kim questions, which were met with the same enthusiasm and tenderness that Kim shared throughout.
A Catalyst for Building a Better Future
The Bridging Futures lecture series was ignited with an astounding inaugural lecture by Kim, that embodied the ethos of the series perfectly, and a true testament to the idea that we can and must shape a more just and peaceful world for future generations.
The lecture series encourages participants to think of themselves as "bridge-builders"—individuals who connect "now to later" and who carry wisdom forward to create systems that serve all life.
Kim Phuc's lecture was a perfect embodiment of this mission, offering a living example of how a single person's decision to choose peace and forgiveness can create a ripple effect of positive change. Her address left a real indent in the hearts of those present; a lasting impression, inspiring everyone who shared in this experience to reflect on their own roles in fostering a more compassionate and sustainable future. And it really seemed to touch and open the hearts of all who were there, with loving kindness, that could tangibly be felt in that shared space in Swansea.
A very special and moving shared experience.
About the Sponsors:
UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES:
BRIDGES is a sustainability science coalition, anchored within UNESCO’s MOST (Management of Social Transformations) Programme, dedicated to fostering transdisciplinary research and dialogue on sustainability, social justice, and inclusive futures. It brings together a global network of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community partners to bridge knowledge and action for a more sustainable and equitable world.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David:
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David proudly hosts the UK Hub and International Programme Office of UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES. This reflects the university’s commitment to its role in fostering discussions and collaborative research for a sustainable future that values diverse perspectives.
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University:
Home to the BRIDGES Flagship Hub, The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University is the centre of interdisciplinary research and innovation. Focused on tackling critical global challenges to create a thriving future for all life and driven to generate knowledge and develop solutions for a sustainable and equitable world.
Office of the Wales Future Generations Commissioner:
The Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales is an independent body established to act as a guardian for the interests of future generations in Wales. It supports public bodies in considering the long-term impact of their decisions, aiming to ensure a Wales that is environmentally, socially, culturally, and economically vibrant for generations to come.
