The Aarhus University UNESCO Chair in Anticipatory Leadership and Futures Capabilities fosters the practices of future-thinking, to support leaders in managing the societal and global challenges of tomorrow.

We develop the research base for forward thinking and its associated competencies across the public and commercial spheres, and apply this in training and public-engagement activities. We empower learners and leaders to become leaders of sustainable and inclusive communities of tomorrow.

AU’s application partner is the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Europe’s most highly recognised policy and business foresight organisation (established 1969), and we will further partner with academic, policy, entrepreneurial and community organisations worldwide, including across North-South domains.

The Chair is awarded to Aarhus University by UNESCO in reflection of its commitment to building futures-aware cultures and capabilities, and is supported by the Danish National Commission for UNESCO. The UniTwin UNESCO Chairs programme promotes international inter-university cooperation and knowledge sharing. It is academic in orientation and practical in application.  

The AU-CIFS Chair in Anticipatory Leadership and Futures Capabilities closely aligns with UNESCO mission:

• Developing education systems to foster inclusive, lifelong learning opportunities.
• Empowering learners to be creative and responsible global citizens.
• Shaping the future education agenda.
• Promoting the interface between science, society, and ethical and inclusive policies for sustainable development.
• Fostering creativity and the diversity of cultural expression.

We thank the Aarhus University Rector, Dean of Faculty, and Senior Management at Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University for their support. Also UNESCO Paris and the Danish National Commission for UNESCO for awarding us this recognition and platform.