Introduction to the contents of the course "Future of Development". Unit 1. Envisioning the future

2. Program for today:
Framework of the course:
• Course organization information
• Introduction on the emerging framework for the
course
– Themes that will be dealt with in this course
• Game: Where Am I going?
• Assignment to be prepared for next session:
– In order to get a first taste of how everything is
connected, we will explore the theme of ‘human
consumption and different ideologies’
– by watching a short documentary and answering the
assigned questions

3. Course organization
• We will meet on the Mondays and
Wednesdays (block 2)
• From 3.45 pm – 6.15 pm

7. Fundamental concepts for this course (1):
1. Development:
– What is development?
• Theory of Human Development and Capability Approach:
Freedom and Agency
– How is development manifested in multi-areas of
society and in the life of Individuals?
– Multi-indicators of development
• Sustainability criteria
• Development indicators, among others:
– economic progress, social progress & social equality, communal and
individual well-being, environment, health & education, democracy
& civic participation

9. Fundamental concepts for this course (2):
2. Envisioning the future and creating
social change:
– Understanding social change
– Futures thinking skills: envisioning the future
– Scanning the now
– Trends and scenario’s
– Reflect on the road ahead

11. Fundamental concepts for this course (3)
3. The big transformation trend:
Globalization
• Aruba is navigating a globalizing world
• What is globalization?
• Interdependence and systems thinking
• Opportunities and dilemas

12. Contents of the course (1)
• Unit 1. Future thinking: envisioning the future
– (wed: November the 17th)
• Unit 2. Human development and Capability approach I
– (mon: November the 22th)
• Unit 3. Human development and Capability approach II
– (wed: November the 24th)
• Unit 4. Understanding change: an introduction to the theories of
social change
– (mon: November the 29th)
• Unit 5. Practicing with Trends and scenario’s
– (wed: December the 1st )
• Unit 6. Indicators of development & sustainability 1
– (mon: December the 6th )

13. Contents of the course (2)
• Unit 7. Indicators of development & sustainability 2
– (wed: December the 8th )
• Unit 8. Population studies and theories
– (mon: January the 3rd )
• Unit 9. Globalization
– (wed: January the 7th )
• Unit 10. Dilemma’s and opportunities
– (mon: January the 10th)
• Unit 11. Presentation of change agents projects (concept
version)
– (wed: January the 12th )

14. Literature
• Consult the Wikispace for the assigned
literature and additional resources:
www.future-of-development.wikispaces.com

15. Contact teacher
• Teacher contact: nadiadresscher@gmail.com
• Room C.E.C no. 9
• Telephone Ext. 240

16. Assessment:
The Change Agents Project
(team-work)
• Work in teams of 3
• Think of a future problem/dilemma for the development of Aruba
– make an analysis of this in terms of situation now (scan)
– why this is a problem (rationale)
– and how this will keep up being a problem in the future (trends and
scenario)
• Write a report/plan on how you think you can contribute to the
solution
– be bold, be creative, out-of the box thinking is stimulated, but also the
ability to show me how this plan is feasible (make it realistic: SMART)
– And how this plan will contribute to multi development indicators
– Present a first concept of your ‘change agent project’ in our last class,
the feedback you get from the class is a valuable input for your
definite plan

17. •be bold,
•be creative,
•‘out-of the
box’ thinking
is stimulated,
•but also the
ability to show
how this plan
is feasible
•Make it
SMART
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Relevant
T = Time-bound

19. Where Am I going

20. Game: Where am I going?
Backcasting method
• Four groups
– Where am I now
– Where will I be in five years
– Where will I be in ten years
– Where will I be in twenty years

21. Aspects to consider
• Consider what you think about:
– Place
– Home
– Family
– Friends
– Leisure
– Career

22. Discussion
• Each group discusses these aspects and gives feedback
to the rest of the group, record one or to key points of
your discussion
• After this each student will fill in the ‘Where am I going
sheet’ for him/herself, this is followed by a class
discussion.
• Pay attention to the following questions:
– Where do you see yourself in relation to the four themes
at the different staging posts?
– What skills do you think you might need for each of these
stages?
– How do you arrive at each point?