FUTURE MINDED
Future-Earth
This project is dedicated to protecting the future of our planet. In response to the global environmental emergency, we focus on understanding and addressing climate-related challenges to influence the path of our shared destiny.
Our goal is to address the impact of climate change and environmental shifts by inspiring greater solution-driven participation. Central to this mission is amplifying the voices of young Africans, empowering them to lead and shape the conversation about our planet’s future.
Project Earth
Welcome to Project Earth!
Project Earth is a collaborative project between ESI’s Tomorrow’s Lab division and the Leadership for Conservation in Africa. The project will kickstart conversations around the environment, climate change and conservation with young people in South Africa, the African continent, and the world. We believe that the environment is a shared responsibility, and as researchers and citizens of tomorrow, it is our duty to spread knowledge and awareness about the current state of our natural world to as many people as possible.
While there is a wealth of scientific information available, the average person often finds it difficult to access or understand. We are addressing this impasse by compiling a glossary, publishing several academic articles, hosting a series of lectures, and supervising postgraduate research on the theme, and by facilitating discussions between students and experts. All these initiatives will create awareness about the environment, the effects of climate change, and the need for conservation.
Our team is diverse, composed of linguists, conservationists, scientists, and researchers across various fields and specialisations. We will use our range of skills and expertise to drive a more climate-conscious and sustainable world.
Join us on this journey as we work towards a healthier planet, a more engaged community, and a sustainable future for all!
Future-Democracy
This research area examines the shifting dynamics of political parties and the pressing challenges facing modern democracies. It addresses critical issues such as the widening gap between political elites and the public, increasing voter apathy, and eroding political legitimacy. In response to these complex crises, we aim to reimagine the role of political parties and the future of democracy itself.
Political parties are central to meeting these challenges, tasked with rebuilding trust and ensuring the effective delivery of quality public services. This theme explores the intricate mechanisms needed to revitalize democratic systems, institutions, and practices. **Future-Democracy** seeks to uncover the roots of these crises and investigates bold, transformative approaches to reinvigorate democratic processes. Through rigorous research, we aim to develop robust strategies and frameworks to help democracies evolve and thrive.
Project Coalitions
This is a pioneering initiative aimed at unravelling the intricacies of coalition politics across the African continent. How coalitions are formed and how they operate in the African political context, are under-explored areas. This project will map coalition politics and their broader effect using agent-based simulations.
This is a new use of this methodology within the African context. The simulations will provide unprecedented insights into the mechanics of coalition politics and serve as invaluable resources for researchers, policymakers. They will form the basis of our larger goal to build agent-based simulations.
In association with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS) South Africa, this project builds upon an evaluation of party positions of nine political parties, including the DA, IFP, FF+, ACDP, ActionSA, BOSA, UIM, Spectrum, and Rise Mzansi.
A second phase will use these findings and the positions articulated in the parties’ 2024 campaign manifestos, media coverage, and confirmation interviews to model the benefits, challenges and effects of coalition politics.
Project Vote
Recognizing the critical link between youth and democracy, this program tackles the growing challenge of youth apathy in South Africa by addressing the concept of “waithood”—a period of dependency and frustration experienced by young people due to high unemployment.
In response to South Africa’s current challenges, particularly the disconnection of youth from the democratic process, we are launching a **Civic Education Project** during and after the 2024 election period.
This initiative focuses on first-time voters and includes three key sub-projects:
1. Never Too Young for Civic Education: UP Edition
Targeting young people aged 16-19, this sub-project raises awareness about democracy and electoral processes. By educating first-time voters about their democratic rights and the importance of participation, we aim to inspire active engagement in election processes. This platform fosters civic engagement among learners from diverse backgrounds.
2. The Waithood Project
Addressing the unique challenges of “waithood” in South Africa, this sub-project creates a space for meaningful, inclusive deliberation. It explores the impact of youth apathy on formal politics, evaluates the successes and shortcomings of current institutional frameworks, and investigates innovative ways to enhance youth democratic participation.
3. Elections in the Digital Era
With the 2024 elections approaching, this sub-project examines the role of digital influence in shaping civic and voting behaviours. It analyses the use of misinformation and disinformation in past campaigns and their impact on South Africa’s democratic landscape.
Through this comprehensive initiative, we aim to engage, empower, and educate South Africa’s youth, recognizing their immense potential as catalysts for democratic change.
Future-Methodologies
Future-methodologies is committed to championing ‘Future Sciences’ and fosters innovative methodologies that embrace transdisciplinary thinking. These methodologies will develop new theories and explore present and future challenges. Our approach is rooted in our Challenges-Based Learning (CBL) methodology.
PROJECT: CBL X AI
This interest emerged in response to the unique challenges faced by both educators and students in a post-COVID world. The conventional paradigms of learning have been disrupted, proving inadequate for preparing future leaders with the essential knowledge and skills needed to tackle the complexities of tomorrow’s challenges.
This project will address this challenge by testing the use of CBL and Artificial Intelligence within the postgraduate classroom.