Output 1

• The forward thinking platform (FTP) is operational with currently 50 members distributed worldwide (see map) from national and international research organizations, universities, CSOs. The target is to expand its volunteer membership with a stronger focus on the inclusion of foresight practitioners from the South and from Farmer and nongovernmental organizations.

• The FTP is working on key challenges for the future and related research and development priorities. The FTP was commissioned by the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) for a study on the “Prospects of Development Assistance in the Post-2015 Development Framework”. The study results are now discussed among GDPRD members and will be presented during the GDPRD Annual General Assembly in January 2014.

• The GFAR Secretariat is working with the CGIAR Consortium office on a consultation of CRPs to update the CGIAR Strategy and Results Framework (SRF) with a stronger foresight component: co-design of the content, running an additional consultation of FTP members.

• Half of the FTP members are collectively engaged in the production of a common corpus of definition in futures studies on food, agriculture and rural development as requested by participants at GCARD2. A collaborative space has been created and an advanced version of the glossary is expected for early February.

Output 2

• The GFAR Secretariat and Kenyan members of the FTP organized a scenario-building training course for African participants at the Africa Agriculture Science Week on “The futures of sustainable rural areas in Africa” and co-authored a report with FARA, who funded this initiative.

• FARA has incorporated the concept of foresight-based challenges for AR4D in its Medium Term Operational Plan and is working to develop endogenous African foresight capacities.

• More than 20 Farmers and Non Governmental Organizations discussed and validated a concept note facilitated by the Secretariat, and are willing to lead, manage and engage in a grassroots foresight activity on the futures of smallholder and family farming, an initiative from the GCARD2. This will be implemented in 2014 and 2015.

Output 3

• GFAR Secretariat is providing invited expert contributions to:

• EC/JRC Global Food Security Foresight study for shaping the 2020-2030 EU development policy framework.
• EC/ DG-SANCO foresight on ‘Delivering on EU food safety and nutrition in 2050 - Scenarios of future change and policy responses’
• Internal strategic seminar of IIED on future priorities: presentation of a paper on food security and sustainable intensification.
• World Agriculture Watch  consultation and agreement to link it to GFAR for enabling diffusion of results and strategic conversation on the futures of agriculture.
• Governmental Foresight Organization Network strategic priorities and action plan. Includes linking the FTP to GFN on the elaboration of a corpus on common definitions, to facilitate exchange with policy makers and a forthcoming event on the future of food and agriculture
• FAO Forestry Foresight working group - linking high level forestry directors from Brazil, India, Nicaragua, Kenya and Peru. Expected outcome is engagement of Ministries in forestry foresight.
• Co-creation of the Club of Ossiach  (http://www.slideshare.net/kcharvat/statement-club-of-ossiach)
• International Seminar of the European Foresight Academy. Paper selected for publication, and cross-links established with FTP.  
• Chatham House discussions of Food Futures: Towards Sustainable Production and Consumption.  Presentation of future challenges and participation to the discussions.

• Links with foresight in the CGIAR research programmes are also growing rapidly:

• Agreement between Climate Change and Food Security Programme (CCAFS) and GFAR on joint foresight actions in 2014.
• Agreements to train CIFOR trainers in Participatory Prospective Analysis.
• Agreements to help the Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) CRP to engage in foresight with FARA in Africa, with a capacity building component.