The Future of Asia: Forces of Change and Potential Surprises

This report explores potential surprises and discontinuities in Asia that could affect Australian and Canadian interests over the next 15 years.

Excerpt from report:
“identify potential surprises and discontinuities that could emerge in Asia and create significant challenges and/or opportunities for Australian and Canadian interests over the next 15 years.”

The research method involved scanning for insights, expert interviews, workshops, and foresight processes to identify changes and their potential interactions. Collaborative tools facilitated the joint effort between Policy Horizons Canada and the Strategy and Delivery Division of Australia, despite geographical distances.

The purpose of this study is to identify potential surprises and discontinuities that could emerge in Asia and create significant challenges and/or opportunities for Australian and Canadian interests over the next 15 years. (p. 3).

• Qualitative methods used
• Exploratory in nature
• Scenarios are developed
• Environmental scanning used

The study examines Asia's future, focusing on potential challenges and opportunities for Australia and Canada. It uses foresight methods to explore plausible futures, considering economic, social, technological, environmental, and political forces in Asia. The report discusses forces of change, scenarios, policy implications, and revises commonly held assumptions about Asia's trajectory.

Drivers mentioned include:

• economic models
• social inequality
• emerging technology
• Environmental and energy issues
• security
• governance

Categories: 2014 publication year | 2030 time horizon | 2030s time horizon | 2035 time horizon | English publication language | demographics | economic development | economy | emerging technologies | energy | food security | governance | hybrid east geographic scope | security | society | water