In a policy brief for "swisspeace" GDL member Dominik Balthasar writes about how strategic foresight can be applied in international development. Strategic foresight is a method that is being tested alongside others in different contexts. But what makes the approach interesting and what distinguishes it from other methods?
“Constituting a “strategic thinking capacity”, foresight is fundamentally about expanding perceptions of future options available, and enhancing the operational context in which a strategy is developed. In contrast to forecasting, which seeks to predict and be probabilistic about the future by extrapolating from prevailing data, foresight sets out to uncover the possibility of multiple, plausible futures,” writes Dominik.
Why is it seemingly challenging to work with strategic foresight in development approaches? The brief states: “Although couching international aid frameworks in concepts of risk certainly comes with distinct advantages, strategic foresight taken seriously not only calls risk-informed approaches to development into question, but also provides a constructive and more compelling alternative – namely one that unlocks development trajectories.”
A few selected passages show that the concept of strategic foresight is interesting and certainly still has to overcome some hurdles in international development:
“Fabricating ‘analogies from the future’ is the purview of strategic foresight. Rather than limited to creative thinking and daydreaming, however, strategic foresight constitutes a systematic analytical process for engaging with uncertain future developments.”
“One of the biggest promises foresight holds for overcoming conflict and fragility lies in it scrutinising prevailing prescriptions, and encouraging all actors involved to imagine the unimaginable.”
“Even though foresight is no silver bullet to ‘make fragility history’, prevailing experiences with applying foresight both to and in contexts of fragility suggests that there is a potential for futures thinking to support processes towards peace and prosperity.”
“International peace and development actors need to acknowledge that, instead of being for the future, strategic foresight works with the future, for the present.”
Dominik Balthasar summarises his policy brief as follows:
“This policy brief demonstrates how strategic foresight can valuably be brought to bear in contexts of conflict and fragility. Making the case that contexts of development and fragility do not belong to the sphere of risk, but rather pertain to the universe of uncertainty, the paper depicts means by which scenario exercises can contribute to the puzzle of peace. At heart, the brief argues for the need of moving beyond risk-informed approaches and tapping the full potential of strategic foresight in order to unlock unchartered future trajectories from conflict and fragility towards peace and prosperity.”
Read more here.
Further Articles
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Julia Jaroschewski is a reporter and founder of Buzzing Cities Lab, a think tank focusing on digital technology and security in informal settlements such as the Favelas in Rio. She works for Die WELT, Spiegel Online, fluter and WIRED, covering mainly foreign politics, organised crime, the war on drugs and security policy. She studied in Portugal, has an MA in political sciences from Berlin and has worked for the UN in New York and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Mozambique.
Julia has attended the Axel Springer Akademie and Columbia School of Journalism. As a fellow of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the Besser-Stiftung she reported from Brazil and South Africa, and from Mozambique as a scholar working for Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung. In 2016 she was part of the international journalism programme for South America, working for the Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She has also spent three months in India as a Media Ambassador for the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
......................................................................................................................................................
Read more about her engagement and how cities can function as future labs for innovative forms of diplomacy. More about her ideas on Women in Crime can be found here. Or read her article on community-led crisis response or on Guinea Bissau.
Dominik Balthasar
Dominik Balthasar is an international development expert with about a decade of work experience (post-PhD) in research, policy, and practice. Currently a freelance consultant based in Manila, the Philippines, he most recently assisted KfW Development Bank in devising its engagement in conflict-affected countries.
Previously, Dominik worked in diverse capacities on issues pertaining to state fragility and resilience. While having collaborated with different bi- and multilateral aid organisations in places such as the DR Congo (UNDP), Timor-Leste (World Bank), and Nepal (former DfID), he contributed to the endeavours of think and do tanks in Europe (Chatham House, EU-ISS, swisspeace), North America (USIP), and Africa (IPSS). Being passionate about enhancing the evidence base of policies and programming in international development, he has been drawn into the field of strategic foresight during the past years. Dominik sees much potential in taking foresight to contexts of fragility, and seeks to uncover the inherent linkages between these two fields in order to devise more fitting strategies towards peace and development.
Dominik holds an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, was awarded a PhD for his work on state fragility in Somalia from the same institution, received training in scenario planning at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
