“The future is not what it used to be” is a phrase that aptly describes the performance of democratic institutions and their ability to respond to citizens’ demands.

Effective governance today calls for new tools that enable institutions to anticipate change and respond efficiently to both present and future challenges. Restoring trust in public institutions requires renewed capacities and public policies that consider multiple medium- and long-term scenarios. 

Facing the current challenges to democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean means re-thinking approaches rather than repeating past formulas. Building the democracy of the future demands innovation in the capacities and processes inside democratic institutions.

But how can we build the capacities we need and transform our processes to shape the democratic institutions of the future?

Integrating strategic foresight into public-sector policy design and implementation allows institutions to rethink the capacities they need and to re-engineer democratic governance so they can respond collaboratively and innovatively to today’s interconnected challenges. Key benefits include:

1. Anticipating challenges: Identify and prepare for emerging issues in advance.
2. Better decision-making: Inform strategic choices with future-oriented scenarios and foresight analysis.
3. Greater adaptability: Equip institutions to adjust more effectively to political, social, economic, and technological change.
4. Innovation: Spark creativity in drafting legislation and public policy by exploring new ideas and approaches.
5. Stronger governance: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of managing public affairs.
6. Broader participation and trust: Inter- and trans-disciplinary, collective-intelligence approaches widen stakeholder engagement and strengthen public trust.

Embedding anticipatory practices at the heart of democratic institutions is no longer optional; it is essential for building resilient, citizen-responsive institutions capable of promoting more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable futures for all. 

This conversation will explore the challenges and opportunities of applying futures thinking to strengthen democratic governance, showcasing practical examples from across branches of the state. Discussion will revolve around two main tracks:

1. Reflections on the challenges faced by the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and how anticipatory governance can help build the capacities they need for the future.
2. How UNDP can support this transformation, including field examples.

Moderation will be led by the Regional Hub’s Governance Team (Jairo Acuña-Alfaro).