MetaScan 2011 explored how four international change drivers are shaping Canada's future. The global and Canadian economies could look quite different in 10 years or 15 years. New developments are expected to change the economy, such as:
- fragmentation in global value chains;
- rise of new technologies;
- new processes like co-creation, co-production and co-consumption;
- demographic change;
- growing demands for new measures of well-being; and,
- new factors shaping competitiveness.
One thing is certain - we confront a period of profound change. MetaScan 2011 was co-created by Policy Horizons Canada and participating departments.
Process and key products
MetaScan 2011 was informed by three foresight projects. Each project brought together expertise from across the public service, academia and elsewhere. Each was produced using collaborative methods and tools. The three 2011 projects were:
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Well Being
With persistent social problems and growing environmental ones, the question of how to comprehensively understand societal progress beyond economic growth is being re-evaluated by major international and governmental organizations. There is growing consensus around the normative assumption that growth in economic output is better understood as a means to an end, and that end is "well-being". This study focuses on the strategic question of why the current well-being movement has relevance to Canada's future.
Key Products
- Final Report
- Policy Brief
For More Information
To find out more about this project, e-mail questions@horizons.gc.ca.
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Environment and Competitiveness
The pace of change globally and domestically is rapid. Environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness, once believed to be at odds, are becoming more closely aligned. This project looks forward and raises some key policy question.
Key Question
- Are Canadian businesses and governments ready to adapt to the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities the future may hold?
Key Products
- Final Report
- Policy Brief
- Book Review
For More Information
To find out more about this project, e-mail questions@horizons.gc.ca.
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Social Media
The digital age has arrived with accelerating speed and an expansive reach. Social media, in particular, is causing a fundamental shift in society. It is immediate, pervasive, open and interactive. It is synonymous with connectivity and transformation. It is challenging our current institutions, processes, behaviours and values.
Imagine what the future holds as:
- advances in artificial intelligence lead to hyper-personalization;
- peer production, collaborative consumption and gamification drive the new economy; and,
- social media shape our institutions and work environment.
Key Question
- Will governments have the policy tools and levers appropriate for issues associated with the digital era, such as wiki-governance, digital identity, cyber-security, digital stress, or digital addiction?
Key Products
- Foresight Study
- Foresight Study - Brief
- Policy Brief
- Policy at a Glance
- Horizons Invites: Anthony Williams
- Social Media as part of the Solution: Can social media support the social inclusion of youth-at-risk?
- Living the Wiki Government
- Conference Chatter
- Book Review
For More Information
To find out more about this project, e-mail questions@horizons.gc.ca.