ŌFC What if Wednesday March 11 2026

Ōtautahi Christchurch is a city of curiosity and creativity. Let's start our first What if Wednesday for 2026 focused on stretching our futures thinking muscles through exploring the weak signals around us. This is fun and also a serious skill needing constant practice.

Weak signals are small symptoms of change that easily go unnoticed. They may seem weird, stupid, outrageous of unbelievable. You are invited to bring along a signal to share or simply join us to find out what others have noticed. We will be using the excellent examples provided by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund.

1. Somewhere else: What has happened somewhere else that is hard to imagine here?

2. Something that a lot of people do not know yet: What is at the forefront of development or is still bubbling under the surface?

3. Something strange: What is confusing, surprising or makes you laugh?

4. Something that is difficult to talk about: What is forbidden or difficult to take up? What is taboo or stirs strong emotions?
   https://www.sitra.fi/en/publication/weak-signals-from-the-future/#what

Host: Cheryl Doig

Dr Cheryl Doig is a leadership futurist, weaver and connector, often known as the #futuresaunty. Cheryl has a passion for growing futures literacy and foresight through her company, Think Beyond. She is the founder of the Ōtautahi Futures Collective, Aotearoa Futures and Oceania Futures and a Future Fellow at Design Futures Aotearoa. Cheryl is one of 12 futurists globally to be chosen as a Friend of the Forum, supporting the design and engagement with the Dubai Future Forum 2025 & 2026.

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How will the event run?

The conversation will take place at Beat Street Cafe from 8:00am - 9:00am. You will need to order and pay for your own coffee, food etc on arrival. The host will introduce the topic and ignite the session with some provocative challenges. There will be a chance to talk through this, and deepen thinking. Meeting together with curiosity and openness is part of us continuing to develop futures mindsets and being open to diverse perspectives. The conversation and connection is important - let's make it fun! 

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Registration

You do need to register for this event so we can let Beat Street know how many to expect. And if you register please turn up. If you are up for the challenge sign up now!

Cheryl

Futures Aunty, Think Beyond