Shaping Tomorrow Together from the Ground Up: Strategies in Participatory Foresight from the Hindu-Kush Himalaya
Wednesday 9th September 2026 | 0900-1015 | Coffee & Networking from 0830
Presented by the the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD, www.icimod.org ). Co-organised by Cornucopia FutureScapes ( cornucopia-futurescapes ). Hosted by Potato Productions (https://www.potatoproductions.com/).
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In a world of accelerating change and widening disconnect, effective adaptation cannot be designed solely from the top, it must be co-created with those at the frontlines of change.
ICIMOD’s Participatory Foresight process brings together communities, governments, policymakers, and experts to collectively explore uncertainty, anticipate future risks, and identify locally relevant pathways for action. Grounded in systems thinking, future orientation, and locally led action, the approach integrates existing and emerging drivers of change while embedding gender equality and social inclusion throughout, supported by robust evidence.
At its core, the process is built on meaningful co-creation. Moving beyond passive participation, it uses accessible and interactive tools that help overcome barriers related to education, gender, and social standing. By creating space for diverse and often overlooked perspectives, it builds a richer and more holistic understanding of complex challenges.
Participants are supported to become agents of their own future, examining the issues they face, developing practical strategies, and shaping actionable goals. The result is a transformative experience in which people feel heard, hopeful, and empowered.
ICIMOD has applied this approach at local, sub-national, and national levels across key themes, including migration, pastoralism, springs, and climate adaptation. Implemented across five countries (Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan) at different scales, it helps build anticipatory, inclusive, and resilient futures for the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
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Speaker:
Sabarnee Tuladhar, a Nepali national, is a Statistical Analyst at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). She has contributed to a wide range of research areas, including poverty, vulnerability, wellbeing, climate change, migration and gender. Her recent work focuses on foresight, applying systems thinking to support governments and communities in anticipating future changes and uncertainties and strengthening their capacity to adapt proactively.
Discussant/Moderator:
Farah Sanwari is a futures thinking practitioner with over a decade of experience applying strategic foresight across diverse organisations and sectors. As a Singapore Futures Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, she has facilitated foresight workshops for government officials and youth, equipping them with tools to navigate complexity and uncertainty. She also contributes to academia by running masterclasses for the University of the Arts Singapore’s Design for Social Futures programme, nurturing the next generation of changemakers.
Farah is the co-founder of The Futures Collective, a community initiative dedicated to democratising futures thinking and making it accessible to wider audiences. She believes that foresight can spark hope, drive agency, and provide clarity in an increasingly uncertain world.
[Note: Venue within walking distance of Fort Canning MRT. Nearby Parking at Lam Ann Bldg.]