Latest Conference News
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Special Conference Issue on Empowering Futures
23rd Futures Conference focused on the wide variety of ways we see futures and how futures studies can empower people, societies, and organisations for creating more just and sustainable futures. ‘Empowering Futures – Long-term Governance, Democracy and Futures Research’ conference was organised during 14–15 June in Turku, Finland and on 16 June 2023 online. This Read more
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Conference in co-operation with Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
This year we are happy to organize the conference together with the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Programme Director, Manager, Dr. Johanna Kohl and Senior Scientist, Dr. Terhi Latvala have joined also our Scientific Board for the conference. Welcome Johanna and Terhi! Luke is a research organisation operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Read more
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Call for Papers and Workshops is now open
The ‘Futures of Natural Resources’ international Futures Conference 2024 will create a cross-disciplinary science platform where participants can meet, share, and discuss the sustainable uses of natural resources in the future. The Futures Conference 2024 will be organised in hybrid mode. Conference day Tuesday 4 will be held exclusively in virtual mode. Thursday 13 and Read more
About us
What are Futures Conferences?
Each year the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) and Finland Futures Academy (FFA) at the University of Turku organises its annual Futures Conference, an invaluable opportunity for meeting, exchanging and debating current topics related in futures studies and foresight. With approximately 200–350 individual participants attending from all over the world, international researchers, organisational delegates, business people and students convene to the FFRC annual conferences in the spirit of futures-oriented information, research, analysis and collaboration. Read more about the previous events.
2023
”Thank you for organizing such an enriching conference, brimming with insightful presentations and stimulating discussions. It was truly a remarkable experience and a platform for new learnings.”
2022
”I got good comments to my research, new ideas from keynotes and sessions, as well as new connections.”
”New participants brought fresher views and this is needed for the whole field.”
2021
”Well managed conference. Delightful to see so many interactive workshops included in the program.”
”Excellent virtual conference, well done for organizing it!”
Futures of Natural Resources
The global consumption of natural resources has accelerated since the industrial revolution, in pursuit of development and economic growth. With the emergence of climate and other ecological crises, it is now acknowledged that the rate and patterns of consumption are neither sustainable nor equitable. The vested interests, and related structures of economic and political power, play a central role in maintaining a status quo, characterised by short-term thinking and a priority on profit maximisation. Within these conditions, the perspective of the future of humanity and of the natural world on which we depend is marginalised. This prompt empirical, philosophical, policy and practice questions, on the social and environmental consequences of continuing this path, on the role and value of nature, and on what would a transformed relationship between humanity and natural resources look like?
Futures of Natural Resources 