ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the need for envisioning positive futures and how critical futures studies can empower students of all ages to transform visions into actions – to realize those futures they imagine. Futures studies are crucial for education, especially to help us better understand the essential role of futures images in our thinking, planning and decision making, all of which can lead toward or away from sustainable paths to the future. This chapter covers the evolution and development of various approaches to envisioning sustainable futures including the path-finding work of Jungk, Boulding, Ziegler and others. It looks at approaches derived from and in addition to, the visioning workshops, including the creation of ‘future history’ (back- casting), ‘reversing the negative’ (turning fears into hopes) and ‘incasting’ alternative futures. In order to take control of our futures and to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren, we must equip ourselves to envision, create and sustain more humane and ecological futures.
