The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill | Third and final reading in the House of Lords
On the 4th February 2022 The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill passed its final reading in the House of Lords. Lord Bird led the third and final reading of the Bill, which will now move to the House of Commons co-sponsored by Simon Fell MP, bringing it a step closer towards becoming a law.
Levelling up – what will it mean for future generations? | Blog by John Lotherington
There are crucial questions to assess how well the Levelling Up strategy will serve the needs and interests of future as well as present generations, FDSD trustee John Lotherington writes. The recently published White Paper is a start, but there are still too many ways in which it is stuck in the past rather than preparing the way for future generations.
Time to reconcile conflict and collaboration—some insights from mediation | Blog by Andrea Westall
Extending the range of practical innovations in democracy to fully tackle the complex challenges we are facing, will need a range of skills, tools and techniques. Neither the current ‘wave’ of deliberation, nor adapted alternative dispute resolution processes, will be enough by themselves, Andrea Westall writes, but combining insights from the variety of deliberative and participative approaches available, together with ways of working through, and with, sometimes profound differences, may well be.
Designing for impact: the next stage for climate assemblies| Blog by Graham Smith
If the recent COP26 tells us anything, it’s that different ways of making hard decisions about our shared futures are needed. Too often critical decisions are made through last minute compromises, hammered out amongst small groups of negotiators behind closed doors, with the voices of those who are most vulnerable to the ravages of the climate crisis excluded…
Is the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act standing up to the test of time and delivering for future generations? | Blog by Peter Davies
The Wellbeing for Future Generations (Wales) Act became law in 2015. A previous FDSD blog reflected on development of the Act from my perspective as Sustainable Futures Commissioner for Wales from 2011-16, setting out its genesis in the devolution process. This is now well documented by Jane Davidson, the then Minster, in her book Lessons from a Small Country.
Beyond COP26: what next on Scotland’s sustainable development journey? | Blog by Paul Bradley
We need to forge connections to help us draw on the successes, failures, and experiences of others playing similar roles across the UK and beyond, FDSD trustee Paul Bradley writes. It will also allow us to share lessons from our journey here in Scotland.
Launch of new report and ICEN network on climate engagement
The Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University in Canada has published the report Can Public Participation Accelerate the Transition to Net-Zero?: Innovations and Challenges for Advancing the Field of Climate Engagement. The report aims to inspire and support governments and practitioners in their climate engagement work and inform the creation of the International Climate Engagement Network (ICEN).
Localising the Global Goals | FDSD session at UN Global Compact Network conference on Responsible Business and SDGs
The SDGs have only 9 more years to go, but they are still not integrated into local government strategy and delivery in England. To help explore why, and share good practice, FDSD worked with UN Global Compact Network UK, Bristol City Office, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the UN Goals for Sustainable Development to run a session on 21st July 2021 on Localising the Global Goals at the UN Global Compact Network UK’s Conference on Responsible Business and SDGs (from where you can download the event).
Knowledge Network on Climate Assemblies (KNOCA) launched
The European Climate Foundation has launched the Knowledge Network on Climate Assemblies (KNOCA) as a ‘go to’ place for those seeking considered, rigorous and widely-sourced input on the design and implementation of climate assemblies. FDSD’s own Professor Graham Smith has been appointed as the founding chair of the network.
Can Democracy Safeguard the Future? | New book by Graham Smith
Our democracies repeatedly fail to safeguard the future. From pensions to pandemics, health and social care through to climate, biodiversity and emerging technologies, democracies have been unable to deliver robust policies for the long term. In his new book, Can Democracy Safeguard the FUture?, FDSD chair Prof Graham Smith asks why.
Democracy, the Long View and Health in the light of COVID | By John Lotherington
COVID-19 is yet another example of persistent failures in long-term thinking and practice by the UK Government. This blog by FDSD trustee John Lotherington is drawing on a conversation between Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation with FDSD trustees, Peter Davies, John Lotherington, Graham Smith, and Andrea Westall. The views contained in this blog are however those of the author alone.
Video | Nature of Prosperity Dialogue with Roman Krznaric, Jane Davdison and Rebecca Willis
How can we nurture visions of the good life that preserve nature and protect the interests of future generations? Can new institutions help us to re-invigorate democracy? Can creativity inspire us to conserve what we love? How can we become the ‘good ancestors’ we would wish for our kids, in the world they will inherit? On 17 November 2020, FDSD and the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity co-hosted the latest event in the series of dialogues on the Nature of Prosperity, chaired by Dr Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of Canterbury.
Citizens’ assembly: what we’ve learned about the kind of climate action the public wants to see | Blog by Graham Smith
Ordinary British people proposes bolder climate measures than anything politicians have so far dared to suggest. In this blog, Graham Smith shares some reflections. (This blog first appeared on The Conversation website.)
Stewarding our land for current and future generations – inspiration from the Welsh Valleys | Blog by Andrea Westall
One positive outcome of our current situation, is probably a greater awareness of the importance of the places in which we live, FDSD trustee Andrea Westall writes. For three areas in Wales, this reconnection started back in summer 2018 when Friends Provident Foundation grantholder, The Green Valleys (Wales) CIC, began Project Skyline.
Reforming the civil service—no more short-term incentives or silo thinking?
We need to change how policy making is done in order to respond to today’s challenges. FDSD will be consulting with colleagues to submit an in-depth response to the consultation on Reform of the Civil Service. If you would like to contribute some ideas, please get in touch.
UN Sustainable Development Goals—LGA and UKSSD launching ‘A guide for Councils’
The Local Government Association in partnership with the UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD) have launched a guide to help boost councils efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in England and Wales.
Leaders call on Prime Minister to create socially just and green recovery from Covid-19
FDSD, together with over 100 companies, universities, charities and trade associations, signed a letter to the UK Prime Minister urging that the recovery from COVID-19 use the Sustainable Development Goals to help “consolidate and future-proof these plans”.
Vacancy: Campaigns Manager for #TodayForTomorrow campaign
Following its successful launch in early Spring 2020, the #TodayForTomorrow campaign—founded to advance the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill through the UK Parliament—is now looking for an experienced campaign manager to lead this project forwards. Closing date for applications: 4 June 2020.