The adoption of a bottom-up approach where citizens develop visions for the future of Europe is one of the aims of CIMULACT, a Horizon 2020 funded project with 29 partners in 30 European countries. As a partner in this project, The Edward de Bono Institute at the University of Malta recently organised a workshop for citizens. 'It was interesting to watch 38 people from different backgrounds and age groups discuss their hopes, fears, concerns and dreams for the future and to see them collaborating to generate six visions for the future of Europe' said Professor Sandra M. Dingli who conducted the workshop, assisted by some University of Malta Master students.
Similar workshops are being conducted in 30 European countries with the involvement of over 1,000 citizens. A total of 180 visions will emerge through this democratic participatory process. Each vision will reflect the hopes and wishes of European citizens for a better future for themselves and for future generations.
CIMULACT engages citizens and stakeholders in order to co-create research agendas that are based on the visions, needs and demands of society. At a later stage, additional stakeholders including policy makers, scientists, research communities, NGOs, futurists and technical developers will be involved in the project. Through a participatory process, dialogue and shared understanding will be fostered amongst a variety of actors who have an interest in the shaping of the future of Europe's research agenda.
The aims of this Horizon 2020 project are quite challenging and ambitious. They include promoting the engagement of the public in the identification of desirable sustainable futures through responsible research and innovation, setting a new standard for public participation through the development, testing and assessment of methods for citizen engagement and making the building of the future more realistic through a wide and democratic public conversation with citizens and other stakeholders. For further information contact [email protected]