What if Wednesday August 12 2026

Ōtautahi Christchurch is a city of curiosity and creativity. Our monthly meeting provides an informal opportunity to connect with others who are interested in futures and foresight. As simple as that really!

Catalyst for Conversation this month:

Key Insights from the

Dubai Future Forum 2025

The Dubai key insights document provides an excellent springboard for exploring the futures we want and to challenge ourselves with what if….

The Insights:

1. The future of foresight is built on imagination

2. The future of foresight is experiential

3. The future of foresight is built with discovery

4. The future of foresight is pluralistic

5. The future of communities is being redesigned

6. The future is regeneration over extraction

7. The future is long lives lived well

8. The future of foresight is pluralistic

Check out the full document at https://www.dubaifuture.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DFF2025_Key-Insight-Report_en.pdf

We will discuss some of the deeper ideas from the document and consider signals of change related to these.

Which insight speaks to you? How might the insights combine? What would you prioritise?

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