During an online workshop facilitated by Adam Sharpe and William Lucht in 2020 for Youth for Asia (YfA), 17 people from over 10 countries across Asia-Pacific and Europe explored the futures of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in 2040.
First reflecting on the history of MDBs, the participants described a best case, worst case, business-as-usual, and an outlier scenario in four groups. They then came together to model a preferred scenario and build its backcast.
They also finished the workshop by inventing different metaphors to guide the MDBs through their new strategy and culture.
Worst, best case, outlier and BAU to build a preferred future scenario
The worst case scenario displayed different dramatic occurrences: extreme climate events, recurrent food insecurities, worsening poverty rates, mass climate migrations and civil disorder.
In the "business as usual" scenario, even if MDBs enhance their accountability and sustainability, they fail to have a meaningful influence on the course of events.
The outlier/wild card scenario features technological innovations boosted to their maximum, including bio technologies. This whole dynamic leads to a posthuman era. Unfortunately, this core reliance on technologies generates numerous downfalls.
Finally, the most important element on which the best case scenario is founded is the establishment of ambitious participatory democratic systems in every part of the world.
This step of reflection on four extreme scenarios helped build the preferred future scenario for the MDBs.
The Preferred Future: MDBs Become Engines of Sustainable Development in 2040
In the preferred future, the MDBs are vectors of transformation in their regions. This becomes possible with a core change in the institution, highly collaborative. At the society level, humanity renewed its connection with nature.
In this narrative, youngsters hold a central place in the political changes. They notably are leaders in the MDBs. For example, we can see in the backcast: "2028 — Young people start leading MDB projects".
"Sustainable development, diversity, and new technologies were key themes that emerged during the workshop, with participants highlighting the need for MDBs to become more flexible, adaptive, and inclusive if they are to achieve a prosperous, resilient, and sustainable Asia-Pacific."
Futures Literacy and youngsters
Apart from the narratives, youngsters are already really involved in the Asian Development Bank through the Youth for Asia program for the production of knowledge and different operations. These workshops were an opportunity of empowerment for the young leaders involved in this institution.
"The intention of this futures workshop was to increase futures literacy within the YfA team whilst deepening their understanding and engagement with YfA's long-term vision to institutionalize youth participation in the delivery of Strategy 2030 (Asian Development Bank, 2018)."