The National Planning Council (NPC) of Qatar wrapped up its involvement in the Strategic Foresight Forum on Global Youth Competencies and Lifelong Learning, held from October 12 to 14. The event was organised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth in collaboration with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

At the forum, NPC showcased its Strategic Foresight Corner, an interactive feature designed to engage participants in practical foresight exercises. Visitors were guided through a process that began with identifying emerging trends and future shifts, examining possible challenges and implications, and ended with articulating the key capabilities and competencies that future youth and leaders will require. The corner also hosted an experience titled “What Will Leadership Require to Thrive in Qatar’s Future?” Here, attendees explored various future scenarios, pinpointed critical skills for navigating change, and contributed to an evolving future-skills map highlighting perspectives on necessary competencies.

During the forum’s opening session, titled “Youth and Future Leadership: From Anticipating Shifts to Creating Opportunities,” Maha al-Maadeed, a Strategic Foresight Researcher at NPC’s Centre for Future Foresight and National Visions, outlined Qatar’s approach to embedding strategic foresight within its national planning framework. Al-Maadeed discussed key trends influencing the future of young people and how strategic foresight can transform these trends into actionable opportunities. She underscored the significance of aligning foresight efforts with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, and stressed the importance of actively involving youth in scenario development. According to al-Maadeed, empowering young people to understand and navigate rapidly evolving changes is essential to preparing future leaders.

The forum’s overarching goal was to enhance young individuals’ abilities to anticipate and respond to future shifts, supporting lifelong learning and strategic decision-making. It also served as a platform to exchange expertise on youth development, focusing on the competencies required to adapt to an evolving global context.

NPC’s engagement at the forum reflects Qatar’s commitment to integrating strategic foresight into national development processes. The council’s efforts aim to improve decision-making, equip young people with future-oriented skills, and prepare a new generation of leaders capable of managing complex and dynamic challenges.