International Futurist visits Capricorn Coast to host interactive workshops

Visioning workshops are aimed at getting local business and the community thinking about how changing trends could impact the future of the Capricorn Coast region.

Professor Inayatullah has spent his working life analysing scenarios that could play out in our world, so we can plan for them. Sohail’s dynamic visioning workshops will be held on Thursday 21 February at The Strand Hotel, Yeppoon.

Deputy Mayor Nigel Hutton said there would be two free sessions available on the day, one targeted at local businesses and the other, the wider community.

“Prof Inayatullah will work with local businesses on the importance of Strategic Foresight by looking at the elements of how disruptions in business are changing how we do things, what alternative scenarios are emerging and how to take these visions for the future and make them a reality,” Cr Hutton said.

“These workshops are designed to create an open dialogue for business and the community, to look at emerging issues and trends that will influence our daily lives and how this might impact you, your family, your community and your industry.

“For example, did you know NASA is 3D printing meat? Years ago the first lab-grown burger cost $325,000 and there are new companies saying they may be able to drop it down to $1.50 in the future. The Professor will talk about disruptors such as the impacts of driverless cars, artificial intelligence and gene technology on our future,” Cr Hutton added.

Born in Pakistan, Sohail moved countries every two years due to his parents' work, living in Geneva, Malaysia, New York, Hawaii and Brisbane. He moved to Mooloolaba in 1999, and has authored and co-edited 24 books, addressed or conducted foresight workshops across the world, written more than 300 journal articles, book chapters, encyclopedia entries and magazine pieces which have appeared in over 40 different journals.

He has a PhD in political science and macro history, the study of big patterns of change dating back thousands of years. He is an adjunct professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a Fellow of the World Futures Studies Federation and part of the International Advisory Council of the World Future Society.

The Business Workshop and Morning Tea will be held from 9am – 11am. Registrations essential. The Community Visioning Workshop will be held from 6pm to 8pm, nibbles and networking prior to event from 5.30pm. Registrations encouraged. Both sessions will be held upstairs in the ocean view room at The Strand Hotel.

For more information and to register for a session, visit www.livingstone.gov.au/whatson