{"id":93992,"date":"2026-02-27T20:26:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T19:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schaltzeit.com\/?p=93992"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T16:11:12","slug":"happy-birthday-millennium-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schaltzeit.com\/en\/happy-birthday-millennium-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Birthday, Millennium Project!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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30 Years of Global Futures Research \u2013 and a Call to Action<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOn February 14, 2026, the Millennium Project celebrates its 30th anniversary. Congratulations! Three decades of systematic futures research, global networking, and commitment to a better world. At Schaltzeit, we would like to take this occasion to introduce the project and its work \u2013 and to make a personal call to action.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Strategic foresight thrives on collaboration across borders. At Schaltzeit<\/a> we work in exchange with other think tanks and organize collaboration \u2013 regionally, nationally, at the European level, and internationally. Together with Cornelia Daheim, the founder of the German Node, we worked for the think tank of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), alongside Foresight Solutions, Sudeco, and the IIT, under the leadership of Marc Bovenschulte.<\/p>

The Millennium Project \u2013 A Global Think Tank for the Future<\/h3>

The Millennium Project<\/a> is an international, participatory think tank founded in 1996 \u2013 following a feasibility study from 1992. It describes itself as a \u201ctrans-institution\u201d that transcends traditional boundaries between academic, political, and private-sector structures: a platform where diverse perspectives are brought together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Source: Daheim, Rampacher & J\u00f6ster-Morisse, 2024<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The goal of the project is to gain well-founded insights into global trends and challenges through interdisciplinary exchange among futures experts from academia, politics, business, and civil society, and to offer decision-makers better options for action regarding the future. As a non-profit NGO, the Millennium Project has a worldwide network of so-called Nodes \u2013 currently over 70 hubs around the globe.<\/p>

Since its founding, the Millennium Project has established innovative methods of futures research and published extensive works. Key activities include the annual \u201cState of the Future\u201d Reports and the accompanying State of the Future Index (SOFI)<\/strong>. These publications compile international data, results from Real-Time Delphi surveys, and other research approaches to assess the state and future developments in areas such as education, health, environment, economy, and technology.<\/p>

The 15 Global Challenges<\/h3>

What makes the Millennium Project distinctive is the openness of its network: anyone who wishes can join a Node and collaborate on the 15 Global Challenges.<\/strong> These challenges serve as the framework for analyzing the global condition. First defined in 1999, the 15 Challenges are:<\/p>

  1. Sustainable Development and Climate Change: <\/strong>How can sustainable development be achieved for all while simultaneously combating climate change?<\/li>
  2. Clean Water Without Conflict: <\/strong>How can it be ensured that all people have sufficient clean water without conflict?<\/li>
  3. Balance Between Population Growth and Resources: <\/strong>How can population growth and resource demand be brought into balance?<\/li>
  4. Democratization: <\/strong>How can authoritarian regimes be transformed into genuine democracies?<\/li>
  5. Improved Global Foresight: <\/strong>How can decision-making processes in a rapidly changing world be improved through integrated foresight?<\/li>
  6. Global IT Convergence: <\/strong>How can all people benefit from the global convergence of information and communication technologies?<\/li>
  7. Ethical Focus in Market Economies: <\/strong>How can an ethical approach in market economies help narrow the gap between rich and poor?<\/li>
  8. Health: <\/strong>How can the threat posed by new and re-emerging diseases and resistant microorganisms be reduced?<\/li>
  9. Education and Learning: <\/strong>How can education help humanity become more intelligent and competent in addressing global challenges?<\/li>
  10. Peace and Conflict: <\/strong>How can shared values and new security strategies reduce ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass destruction?<\/li>
  11. Empowerment of Women: <\/strong>How can the changing status of women contribute to improving living conditions?<\/li>
  12. Transnational Organized Crime: <\/strong>How can transnational criminal networks be prevented from becoming powerful global actors?<\/li>
  13. Rising Energy Demand: <\/strong>How can growing energy demand be met safely and efficiently?<\/li>
  14. Scientific and Technological Innovations: <\/strong>How can breakthroughs be accelerated to improve humanity\u2019s living conditions?<\/li>
  15. Global Ethics: <\/strong>How can ethical considerations be routinely integrated into global decision-making?<\/li><\/ol>

    State of the Future Report 20.0<\/h3>

    In September 2024, the 20th edition of the \u201cState of the Future\u201d Report was published \u2013 over 500 pages providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of the world. The report is based on 29 quantitative variables collected through international Real-Time Delphi surveys. The State of the Future Index (SOFI) 2035<\/strong> provides a condensed picture of the global condition.<\/p>

    The report shows: despite global progress in many areas, significant risks remain \u2013 such as environmental destruction, growing social inequality, and technological challenges \u2013 which can only be addressed through international cooperation and forward-looking political decisions. A particular focus currently lies on the governance of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and its impact on the world of work.<\/p>

    The German Node of the Millennium Project<\/h3>

    In Germany, the Millennium Project is represented by the German Node. Founded in 2003 by Cornelia Daheim<\/strong> (Future Impacts<\/a>), the Node is now co-led with Clara J\u00f6ster-Morisse.<\/strong> It serves as a central link within the global network and represents the German perspective in international futures research.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    \n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe need for international collaboration in Strategic Foresight remains undiminished due to multi-level or perma- and poly-crises. The Millennium Project therefore provides a roof under which members can advance projects and initiatives both globally and locally. It is up to all of us to find answers to the Global Challenges.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCornelia Daheim, Founder of the German Node<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The German Node has made significant contributions to international futures research through numerous projects and promotes knowledge transfer between regional and global actors. The range spans from workshops and Delphi studies to publications and interdisciplinary collaborations.<\/p>

    Historical Milestones of the German Node<\/h3>