2022 World Summit of Committees of the Future, Helsinki ©Parliament of Finland
Since 2010, inspired by the example set by the Parliament of Finland, several parliaments have established Committees of the Future – dedicated committees to address future issues and explore potential solutions. The relatively short operational history of these committees, combined with the unique political and institutional contexts of each country, has resulted in diverse roles and impacts on parliamentary and national policymaking processes. This case study examines how these committees, which go by different names, contribute to anticipatory governance by helping parliaments proactively address emerging challenges and opportunities.
Hubs for future-oriented policymaking
The Committee for the Future of the Parliament of Finland plays a crucial role in shaping medium- to long-term national policies by providing projections and offering feedback on future-focused reports submitted by the government. The Committee gathers input from other parliamentary committees, fosters ongoing dialogue on national policies with external experts from various disciplines, evaluates government plans and identifies areas for improvement.
The Committee’s reports include resolutions containing binding requirements for the government. These resolutions remain in effect throughout the government’s term, serving as an important mechanism for ensuring consistency in long-term policymaking.
For instance, a report approved by parliament in 2023 called for the expansion of youth participation in future challenges, the integration of futures literacy into education and the promotion of green transitions through new technologies. The government must regularly report on the implementation of these resolutions for review and oversight.
The Committee for the Future of the Parliament of Lithuania was established in 2020 to review and propose legislation and resolutions related to future-focused strategies and national reforms. The Committee provides recommendations on issues such as science, demographics and the environment after consulting various experts, and ministries are required to report on their actions in response.
In May 2022, the Committee adopted a resolution on Lithuanian energy independence. This resolution, which was the outcome of discussions with the government, energy institutes and academic experts, included a call for the expansion of renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen and biomethane. It also outlined specific measures for the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Finance. In response, the Ministry of Energy submitted a plan to improve energy efficiency in public facilities by 2030, with ongoing monitoring in place.
Laying the foundation for foresight governance
Parliamentary Committees of the Future not only tackle future-oriented issues but also serve as pioneers in developing and establishing national-level anticipatory governance in contexts where it is insufficient or underdeveloped.
The Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking of the Senate of the Philippines, established in 2019, has been working to create a national platform for future preparedness and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Committee has spearheaded initiatives such as establishing futures offices within the Department of Education, the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Technology, forming the Subcommittee on the SDGs within the National Economic and Development Authority, and allocating budgets for futures strategy development and forecasting across government agencies.
The Sustainable Budgeting Act, which is currently under discussion in the Senate, aims to integrate sustainability principles into the government’s budgetary processes and to establish clear performance indicators for achieving sustainability goals. This initiative demonstrates the Committee’s commitment to building a future-oriented governance framework.
The Committee on Future Challenges, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Senate of Chile played a key role in passing the 2018 legislation that established the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. During the legislative process, the Committee ensured that the law included provisions for a council tasked with presenting long-term national strategies and for an interministerial body to coordinate science and technology policies.
The Committee is currently reviewing a bill to establish the Agency for Strategic Futures, designed as an institutional framework for knowledge-based foresight and sustainable development. The agency aims to operate independently, offering specialized expertise to effectively address future opportunities and risks.
Research and advisory functions
Some Committees of the Future focus on conducting research into long-term national issues that transcend electoral cycles and terms. Their primary objectives are to contribute opinions on legislative debates and government policies, foster a forward-looking political culture, and encourage comprehensive thinking about the nation’s future.
The Advisory Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation and the Future of the Senate of Paraguay was established in late 2023. Its role is to provide opinions on legislation related to scientific research and development, science and technology policy planning, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and technology transfer.
During the 2023–2024 session, a total of 28 bills and executive policies were submitted to the Committee for review, which issued opinions on 9 of them, including the bill to promote the digital economy. It also conducted in-depth discussions and investigations on key topics such as data protection, cryptocurrencies and public transport.
The Future Committee of the Parliament of Iceland, originally established under the Prime Minister’s Office in 2018, was transferred to parliament in 2021. Its mission is to address the country’s challenges and opportunities in relation to technological changes, AI and automation, interactions with nature, and demographic shifts.
The Committee does not directly handle bills or budgets but can provide opinions on various issues. It held a seminar on the impacts of AI in order to foster expert dialogue and explore prospective difficulties, as well as a workshop on the green transition and challenges through to 2040. It also reviewed the government’s AI action plan and discussed the country’s 2023 Voluntary National Review on progress towards the SDGs.
