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Director of Futures Research addresses UN delegates
Author: Corporate Marketing / Korporatiewe Bemarking
Published: 24/10/2016

"The United Nations (UN) faces enormous challenges with worsening global conflict, but the willingness of leaders to engage with the future in creative and innovative ways allows for a positive outlook of opportunities," said Dr Morne Mostert, Director of the Institute for Futures Research at Stellenbosch University (SU), last Tuesday (18 October 2016).

Dr Mostert addressed senior UN delegates on the importance of futures thinking at an event in Cape Town.

Themed Resilience and Transformation, the event was part of a visiting UN programme for  leaders from around the world. This was the third year that it took place in Africa.

Other speakers at the event included Prof Crain Soudien, Chief Executive Officer of the Human Sciences Research Council, Prof Michael Penn, Head of Psychology at Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Mr Lionel Davis, former political prisoner on Robben Island

In his address, Dr Mostert emphasized the critical role that adaptive leaders at the UN could play in transforming the world towards an alternative future state.

"This is against the background of the UN's own transformation, with the recent election of António Guterres, who will take over as the ninth UN Secretary General from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, 2017," Dr Mostert said.

He pointed out that, following his election, Mr Guterres said he would be 'at the service of (them) all equally and with no agenda but the one enshrined in the UN Charter' and positioned 'diplomacy for peace' as a central part of his intention.

Mostert said "with the emphasis SU places on being future-focused and innovative, the willingness of leaders to think differently about the future of the globe is particularly relevant as the UN will be a significant contributor in this regard."

  • Photo: Dr Morne Mostert addresses the delegates.