
COURSE OVERVIEW
This interactive futures course is based on the six pillars approach to Futures Studies. Using methods such as the futures triangle, emerging issues analysis, the futures wheel, the Sarkar game, scenario planning, causal layered analysis, visioning and backcasting participants create alternative and preferred futures. Participants work in teams on questions relevant to their work (for example, the futures of organizational structures; ageing and productivity; housing and homelessness, gender equity) in the next two decades.
Case studies are used to illustrate the methods. Participants over the two days learn about themselves, others, their organization, and the changing world. They leave with not just insights as to the futures of x, but as to their own life narratives, and what they need to do In order to realize their visions.
Facilitator

Professor Sohail Inayatullah
UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies Professor, TAMKANG University Researcher, Metafuture.org
Sohail Inayatullah, a political scientist and futurist, is the UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies at the Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity, IIUM, Malaysia. He is also Professor at Tamkang University, Taiwan and Associate, Melbourne Business School, the University of Melbourne. He teaches from www.metafutureschool.org where his courses include Become a Futurist and Personal Futures: the CLA of the Self. He is listed in the top two percent of the world’s scientists as measured by the highest impact of citations.
His most recent books include CLA 3.0, and Asia 2038.
In the past year, he has worked with PWC, ANZ; OECD; FAO; INTERPOL; Mitsubishi Motors; the Government of New Zealand; the WHO; the Government of Egypt; the Government of Indonesia; The Asian Development Bank; Globe Telecom; ISESCO; the Philippines Senate; the Pacific Community; GASERC; and the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.
Co-Facilitator

Dr. Ivana Milojević
Director, Metafuture.org
Dr. Ivana Milojević is a Co-Founder and Co-Director of Metafuture – an Australian based globally oriented foresight think-tank focused on the practical use of futures tools and methods through action learning approaches. In that capacity, she has delivered speeches and facilitated workshops for governmental and academic institutions, international associations, and non-governmental organizations around the world.
She is currently a consultant with the Asia Development Bank. Earlier she was senior futurist with the Brunei government and coordinator of the Brunei Futures Initiative. She has previously held professorships at several universities including the Association of Centres for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies and Research, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
She is the author of the Heroine’s Journey book series which includes, The Gold Maker, The Peace Maker and the Future Maker. Her academic books include CLA 3.0, The End of the Cow and other emerging issues, and Breathing.
Pre-requisites
- An understanding of strategy, CEO and part of senior leadership team
Date
- 24 - 25 November 2025
Time
- 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location
- Dubai Future Academy, 3D Printed Office
Target audience
- Executive Management, Directors, Strategy, Innovation, Foresight or Program Management roles
RATING
- (4.7/5)
Language
- English
FEES
- AED 11,230
- Per Participant
COURSE OUTLINE
Day 1
- Welcome & Intro
- The Uses of the Future
- What works in the practice of foresight: nine questions that transform the future
- Anticipatory action learning
Day 2
- The Six Pillars approach starting with the Futures triangle and Emerging issues analysis
- Macrohistory and the Sarkar game
- Causal layered analysis of the external world and the inner world
Learning outcomes
- Apply methods to develop alternative futures, such as scenario planning and forecasting, to organizational contexts.
- Analyze emerging issues using tools like the futures wheel and causal layered analysis to identify potential impacts and opportunities.
- Demonstrate the ability to leverage the future as a strategic tool for driving organizational transformation and innovation.
- Reflect on personal leadership practices and evaluate how futures thinking can enhance self-awareness and decision-making capabilities.
AGENDA
Time | Sessions |
---|---|
9:30 – 10:00 |
Welcome & introduction |
10:00 – 10:30 |
1.2 The Six pillars process and what works |
10:30 – 10:45 |
Coffee break |
10:45 – 11:00 |
1.3 Futures and learning – The unimaginable futures |
11:00 – 11:15 |
1.4 Challenging the used future |
11:15 – 12:00 |
1.5 Emerging issues |
12:00 – 12:30 |
1.6 The futures wheel |
12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch and prayer break |
14:00 – 15:00 |
1.7 alternative futures |
15:00 – 15:15 |
Coffee break |
15:15 – 16:00 |
1.8 Creating the vision |
16:00 – 17:00 |
1.9 Backcasting and other issues |
Time | Sessions |
---|---|
9:30 – 10:00 |
2.1 Recap Previous Day and Questions |
10:00 – 10:30 |
The futures triangle |
10:30 – 10:45 |
Coffee break |
10:45 – 12:30 |
The sarkar game |
12:30 – 13:15 |
Lunch break |
13:15 – 14:30 |
Conflict transformation |
14:30 – 14:45 |
Coffee break |
14:45 – 16:00 |
4.5 Causal layered analysis |
16:00 – 16:30 |
Recap and close |