Awareness | Foresight Cards workshops

PurposeTo create a better understanding of developments in the external environment.

ApplicationBusiness, political, creative and personal fields.

Supporting cards: Patterns of Change. Supporting presentation: Awareness workshop (PowerPoint).

Raise awareness

Players 2 to 8 Duration 15 – 60 minutes Level 1/5

Requirements: A large surface to place the cards on (e.g. a table).

Select a subject which you would like to discuss and explore.
Select cards that have had an influence on the subject or could influence the subject in the future.
Write down the subject (e.g. on a post-it note) and place it in the center of the table. Position your chosen cards around the subject.
Using the “Patterns of Change” card, assign one of the patterns to each card on the table.
Discuss your ideas with each other and reach a consensus about which pattern of change is the most applicable to the current situation.
Write them down on separate pieces of paper and place them next to the cards. You should now have agreed on one pattern of change for each card, giving a complete overview of the current situation.
Next, agree on a time-span you want to consider in the future (e.g. 5 years).
Repeat steps 4 to 6, but now for a future situation. Note that for the future there can be multiple possible patterns of change, which may be controversial.
You should now have a complete overview of the current and possible future situation.
Choose one of the options below if you wish to discuss further and raise awareness about the subject.

Discuss how the current situation has evolved into the future situation. What developments brought you there?
Discuss how the future situation could alter the subject.
Look at the future situation and identify controversial patterns. If applicable, discuss.
Advanced level: in turns, pick a new card and assign a pattern of change. Discuss what would happen if this became reality.

Players 2 to 8 Duration 15 – 60 minutes Level 2/5

Included in the box, in English, Dutch, German and Spanish.

Shuffle all the cards and deal each player seven cards (don’t show others your cards). The remaining stock pile is set on the table.
Place the “Patterns of Change” card in the center of the table. Make sure all players understand each pattern.
In turns, the player is assigned a pattern of change (e.g. trend-unchanging, then steady increase, then steady decrease, etc.).
The player chooses a card from their hand so they can argue two valid historical developments according to the assigned pattern.
The player shows the card and presents arguments for two valid historical developments, making clear in which time-span they occurred.
If the group agrees the statements are valid, the player loses the card and puts it back in the deck.
If the group agrees the statements are invalid, the player takes a new card from the deck and puts the old card back.
Repeat, always selecting a new pattern of change each turn.
The first person who has played all their cards wins.

After two rounds everyone selects one card and passes it to the person on their left.
Advanced level: the stated arguments have to relate to the developments on the previous card.