Experts Call For Radical Solutions To Tackle Global Crises At Dubai Future Forum

Liam Young, a film director and architect, spoke at the Dubai Future Forum 2024 about the inadequacy of current solutions to global crises. He stressed the need for new, sustainable visions that are "radical, global, and collective in scale." Young highlighted fiction's role in simplifying complex scientific ideas for broader audiences.

Honor Harger, Executive Director of the Art Science Museum, supported Young's views. She emphasised the necessity of combining art and science to tackle systemic challenges. "The intertwining of art and science is essential—art has immense emotional power to transform hearts and minds, while science and technology drive innovation and speak to us intellectually. Neither alone is sufficient to create systemic change; we need both working together in dialogue," she said.

Omran Sharaf from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed space exploration's importance during a session titled ‘The Future of Humanity in Time and Space: Where Do We Go from Here?’. He explained that exploring other planets helps understand Earth's changes and preserve life here. Sharaf noted that space-based systems are crucial for communication, navigation, and disaster management.

Michael Madsen, a filmmaker and conceptual artist, expanded on future preparedness by highlighting storytelling's role in addressing existential threats. He remarked that facing fears of an uninhabitable world was an act of political imagination by our ancestors. This approach fostered hope for future generations.

Young believes fiction can emotionally engage people with scientific concepts. "I believe there is extraordinary power in taking the ideas that define who we are and who we could become and finding ways to bring them into the world," he added. This universal language can inspire change by making complex topics accessible.

Museums play a vital role in connecting present realities with future possibilities. Harger called for "protopian" visions that balance utopian ideals with dystopian fears. The Museum of the Future aims to provide frameworks for intentional futures.

Forum Highlights

The third edition of the Dubai Future Forum took place at the Museum of the Future from 19–20 November. It attracted over 2,500 experts from 100 countries and representatives from 100 global organisations focused on future design.

The event featured discussions on various themes related to sustainability, technology, and human advancement. Participants explored how interdisciplinary collaboration can address pressing global issues effectively.

This gathering underscored the importance of innovative thinking in shaping a sustainable future for humanity. By fostering dialogue between diverse fields, it aimed to inspire actionable solutions for today's challenges.

With inputs from WAM