“Our World of Futures Studies as a Mosaic” is a new publication edited by Tero Villman, Sirkka Heinonen, Co-Chair of the Helsinki Node of The Millennium Project, and Laura Pouru-Mikkola published by the The Finnish Society for Futures Studies within its Futures Series. The book was recently launched during a special session of the 24th international Futures conference by the Helsinki Node, with the participation of many authors.

The work introduces approaches to futures studies and foresight from different parts of the globe, appreciating and learning from the different contexts. In the same spirit of diversity, the nature and tone of the chapters and texts in this book is multifaceted. While acknowledging the histories of various regions in the field of futures studies and foresight, the book invites readers to think about the differences as sources of inspiration and sense-making – for what there is to learn from other corners of the world and other cultures and traditions.

The World of Futures Studies as a Mosaic includes many contributions by The Millennium Project Chairs, such as:

• Sirkka Heinonen & Laura Pouru-Mikkola, “Brief history of establishing the futures studies field in Finland”;
• Sirkka Heinonen and Sofi Kurki, “Perspectives of French futures studies as opened up by key experts”;
• Mara Di Berardo (MP Comms Director and Italy Node Co-Chair), Carolina Facioni, Roberto Paura, “Futures Studies in Italy: organizations, approaches, and objectives. An exploratory assessment”;
• Fredy Vargas Lama (Colombia Node Co-Chair), Luz Martha Melo Rodrigues, “The state of long-term thinking in Latin American Governments“;
• Jerome Glenn (MP CEO), Mara Di Berardo, “The Millennium Project: a global participatory think tank to accumulate wisdom for the future”;
• Laura Pouru-Mikkola, Nicolas Balcom Raleigh (Foresight Europe Network Chair) & Markku Wilenius, “UNESCO global futures literacy network develps capabilities to engage all forms of anticipation”.

This publication does not aim for an all-encompassing description of the world of futures studies and foresight, which is next to impossible, but to start building a mosaic. The publication includes collected works from around the world – altogether from five different continents an three global networks.

The book is openly accessible in digital format and can be downloaded at the following link: https://www.tutuseura.fi/julkaisut/julkaisusarjat/tulevaisuussarja/10-our-world-as-a-mosaic/

Our World of Futures Studies as a Mosaic is a remarkable book in both its breadth and its depth. A range of expert authors offer in-depth coverage of futures studies and foresight from Europe to Africa, from Asia/Pacific to Latin America. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone wanting first-hand knowledge of the global futures studies field.

Jennifer Gidley, PhD. and Author “The Future: A Very Short Introduction” (Oxford University Press). President of the World Futures Studies Federation (2009-2017)