Mr. Chairman, Mr. Director General of the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy of the Science and Technology Agency of Japan, Mr. Jiro Shibata, as the co-director of the APEC center for Technology Foresight, Dr. Chatri Sripaipan is the representative of Tsukuba Expo 85 Memorial Foundation, distinguished speakers, honorable chairpersons and participants, ladies and gentlemen: It is indeed an honor and a privilege to be invited by the organizers of NISTEP at this international conference to give a closing address.
Since I'm not as young as I look, may I sit down, with your permission, I will keep going, sitting down. Being close to seventy years old, probably the oldest in this August gathering here, it is a privilege to be old. I accept to perform this pleasant duty, but do not worry, I will not take more than five, maybe seven minutes of your precious time. Over the past two days, we have exchanged our experience on Foresight among fourteen economies, the European Union and multi-country studies and their common elements. We have learned from prima donnas around the world on Foresight.
The Foresights and Scenario-building are not limited to technology only, but can be extended over to economic, social, enhanced quality of life, sustainable development and societal well-being as a whole. Foresight is a democratic, participatory process. It is a strategic process whereby stakeholders share and interchange their ideas as equals. It is not just a think tank but a think-and-do tank, according to John Wood. It is not the end product that we want to achieve, but it is a strategy process. If implementation or the 'do' component is to be assured, Foresight should not only come from experts but wide as possible participation, particularly from political arena should be involved. A few decades ago I learned about Foresight carried out by Japan. Also during that time, I, myself, as a physicist and planner, worked closely with a friend of mine, an anthropologist from Stanford University in developing methodology for ethnographic future research or EFR. In building scenarios, the optimistic, the pessimistic and the most likely scenarios for Thailand. And conditions where we should make most probable scenario works. I learned Foresight and the EFR are quite similar.
Different only in techniques, different in time, different in components, of people involved. In Thailand, we are using many combinations of consultations: *AIC* appreciation, influence and control, Foresights, Scenario-building and Delphi methodology. Furthermore, all the fifty years of my full working life, in academic, in government, in business and in politics. I wonder why Japan, having an old and ancient history, conservative and hierarchical culture, has progressed so fast since the Meiji Reform over a hundred years ago. And even at a faster pace during this last half of this century.
The past few days, threw me some light. Maybe it is the future look, it is the Foresight, it is the Delphi methodologies that makes Japanese culture, Japanese society move so fast. It is the think-and-do by those involved, as equals. I have learned over the past two days, from prima donnas, that while theory and methodologies of Foresight, the 'think' part, are relatively universal, holistic visions of alternatives, *of* future. But the practice, or the 'do' part is locational, temporally and culturally specific. But be that as it may, a multi-economy, multi-cultural studies or foresights are possible. We can always learn from each other's experiences and apply it to our respective economies and cultures. The advantages and disadvantages, limitations of the Delphis have been well elaborated. It is heartening to note that in the past two days, that the community of Foresighters has been expanding and we have proposals that we should have an APEC Technology Foresight Network so that we can all learn from each other. Furthermore, on this note, at last night's reception, Mr. Shibata suggested that we form an international club of Foresight. An informal one, or formal one, as you like, because Japanese can be either way. These clubs would meet about once a year in different countries, different locations, to learn from each other and to see each other's progress.
I agree fully with both proposals and I think that Mr. Shibata should be the first president,... should there be one. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the organizers, may I thank all speakers, chairmen-chairpersons, participants, and interpreters, for making this conference very stimulating and productive. And on behalf of all participants here, since I'm oldest (I can say that) and on my own behalf, express my deep appreciation to the organizers, to the co-organizers, particularly to our host, NISTEP, Mr. Shibata, his staff, and all those who worked behind the scenes for inviting us to this conference, for providing us with the opportunities to learn from each other, *off* this stimulating discussion. The generous hospitality extended by all of you are most appreciated. I don't know how to return these to you should you decide to meet in Thailand. It is indeed a continual network or a prototype of a knowledge pool that has been discussed in this August hall. In closing, may I wish all those who come from abroad, have a pleasant and safe journey home.
May I also wish the success for the APEC Center of Technology Foresight and Foresight activities in the future around this planet earth. I look forward to the next international conference on Foresight, somewhere in this world. I also learned, particularly from Japan, in one sentence, the future began yesterday. The time is now auspicious. May I adjourn the meeting and declare the International Conference on Technology Foresight - The Approach To and the Potential for New Technology Foresight... closed. **** ****, mata aimashou, tsai chien, auwider***, see you later, sayonara, thank you, arigatou gozaimashita.
-- Thank you very much Professor Sipphanondha Ketudat. So with this I would like to adjourn this two day conference. And as for the participants, I would like to say thank you once again for your kind attention. Have a good trip to your home countries, thank you very much.