The process began with participants settling in and getting to know each other and their respective projects. A “futures archive” was created, where each participant presented an object they had brought with them, symbolising their relationship with the future and time. These objects were temporarily gifted to the group, serving as an initiation to the process and an invitation to open up ways of thinking about the future. 

The objects shared during the process ranged from perishable maple syrup, highlighting the fleeting nature of time, to chairs symbolizing the absence of those restricted from participating in discussions about the future. A book on bookbinding directed attention to the enduring power of stories in shaping our visions of tomorrow. Seeds, preserved from yesterday and gifted by ancestors, represented a promise for the future, reminding us to honor the past as we move forward. A Māori pendant served as a powerful symbol of relational thinking, emphasizing that the future cannot be considered in isolation from our connections to the past; our ancestors stand before us, building the way, while the future follows behind.

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This step provided a thorough understanding of the current cultural landscape, exploring its challenges and opportunities. Drawing on insights from the Globus 23 cohort and additional horizon scanning, participants were encouraged to share their personal stories of change and trends that might impact the field and their work. After pinpointing key challenges within the themes presented — based on collaborative research with the Globus 23 cohort — a causal layered analysis was conducted. This analysis aimed to critically examine and question existing narratives about these challenges and their future trajectories.

This stage involved transforming identified issues into actionable visions. Participants co-created vision statements, articulating the futures they aspired to, thereby setting the stage for transformation.

In groups, four distinct future scenarios were developed, each presenting a unique vision of the transnational cultural landscape in 2036. Each envisioned future was detailed with elements including the overall structure of the future vision, potential rituals and practices, daily life experiences, and the tools and technologies that might shape this world.

The final stage focused on crafting invitations for change, identifying specific actors and actions to bring the envisioned futures into the now, bridging the gap between the future and the present.