ABOUT YOU AS A FUTURES THINKER / PRACTITIONER

You identify yourself as an African futures thinker or practitioner. How would you describe to the woman or man on the street what it is that you do in this regard?

I'm currently involved in the conception of an economic and social development plan in my country. My experience includes strategic planning, development economics and public finance management.

How many years have you worked as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

I have ten years’ experience in designing and the conception of development politics.

In which countries or places have you had working experience as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

Tunisia

In what languages have you undertaken futures / foresight related work or research?

I have undertaken foresight research in three languages such as English, French and Arabic.

What is it that motivates you to work or participate in the foresight / future studies / related field

What encouraged me to study foresight is that the discipline is aimed at preparing today for tomorrow.
It is not to predict the future but to develop possible and impossible scenarios in their perceptions of time on the basis of the analysis of available data.
Michel Godet, the French futurologist says; "If history does not repeat, human behavior reproduce."

What goal/s would you most like to reach with your work as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

My ultimate goal is to participate in the design of a better future for Africa.

Who or what most influenced your thinking as a futures thinker / practitioner, and how?

Michel Godet the French futurologist.

What is your main disciplinary background? (i.e. your primary training / qualification)

Economics and Macroeconomics

How do other people describe you and how do you describe yourself?

Others describe me as… visionary
I describe myself as… patriotic

YOUR PERSPECTIVE

What is one of your favourite quotes about the future?

"si l'histoire ne se répète pas, les comportements humains se reproduisent " - Michel Godet

"If history does not repeat, human behavior reproduce" - Michel Godet

How would you describe the state of African futures thinking right now?

I think Africa has taken its destiny. The time has now come to build a better future for Africans.

What is, in your opinion, the main barrier to uptake of futures knowledge by African institutions and organisations?

I believe that the fragmentation of efforts and lack of integration of African countries hamper growth and the economic development of Africa. I think that we are ready to deploy all means to an efficient and equitable economic integration between Africans.

If you were to give advice to someone who wants a career in African foresight / future studies, what would you say to him or her?

I would say that the world has changed and nations have progressed through their pioneering attitudes and forward thinking by focusing on the future and adopting new approaches. Foresighting invites to be the discipline of the modern world. In fact, one cannot build a better future with extrapolation.

What are your recommended readings for every African futures thinker / practitioner?

• Manuel de prospective stratégique (2 tomes), Tome 1 l’indiscipline intellectuelle, Tome 2 L’art et la méthode 3e édition, Dunod, 2007.
• Creating Futures: Scenario-planning as a strategic management tool, Economica-Brookings, deuxième édition 2006.
• La Pensée unique — Le vrai procès, Economica
• De l’anticipation à l’action, DunodL’avenir Autrement, Armand Colin, Prospective et planification stratégique, Economica, Crise de la Prévision, essor de la prospective, PUF

What are your recommendations for other favourite futures resources: websites, newsfeeds, mailing lists, associations, etc.?

www.futiribles.com
www.laprospective.fr