NWU PhilForesight Institute

NOW AVAILABLE | SIYASIP Futures Magazine – Volume 2, Issue 1 (2026)

The wait is over! We are proud to launch Volume 2, Issue 1 of SIYASIP Futures Magazine, the official publication of the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities at Northwestern University, Philippines.

This special World Futures Day Edition carries the theme “Local Roots, Global Futures,” highlighting how local communities, educators, students, researchers, and changemakers contribute to shaping more regenerative, inclusive, sustainable, and equitable futures.

Inside this issue, discover:
1. Reflections from global futures conversations and forums
2. Insights on futures literacy and anticipatory governance
3. Stories of innovation, regeneration, and community action
4. Collaborative initiatives advancing foresight in the Philippines and beyond
5. Ideas that inspire us to imagine, anticipate, and co-create better futures together

SIYASIP embodies the Filipino values of thoughtful inquiry and mindful anticipation—reminding us that the future is not something we wait for, but something we actively shape.

Read the magazine now:
bit.ly/SiyasipFuturesMagazineNWU

SIYASIP PODCAST 2.0 IS COMING!

A new wave of conversations, imagination, and Futures Thinking begins this June 9, 2026 as the 3rd Trimester Futures Thinking students take the mic for another season of student-led discussions across diverse disciplines and emerging futures.

New voices.
New ideas.
New futures to explore.

Get ready for more thought-provoking episodes where curiosity meets innovation, creativity, and possibility.

SIYASIP PODCAST 2.0 — Where Curiosity Meets the Futures

Implemented through the NWU PhilForesight Institute and UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities in partnership with 107.5 U-Radio Laoag as part of the Futures Thinking course at Northwestern University.

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the student hosts and reflect their perspectives and voices. They do not represent Northwestern University, the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities, or 107.5 U-Radio Laoag. This content is for educational purposes only and reflects students’ imagination in Futures Thinking—it is not intended to predict the future or provide professional or medical advice.

Postcards from the Future ✨📮

Our Architecture and Education students journeyed beyond the present and imagined the worlds they hope to create through the Postcards from the Future activity.

From regenerative cities and inclusive learning spaces to future-ready classrooms and sustainable communities, each postcard reflects their hopes, fears, dreams, and visions for tomorrow.

More than a creative exercise, this activity reminds us that the future is not something we simply wait for—it is something we actively imagine, design, and shape together. 🌍🏛️📚

Futures were not only imagined—they were designed, prototyped, and brought to life.

The NWU PhilForesight Institute and the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities, together with the NWU College of Arts and Sciences, NWU Social Sciences and Humanities Department, NWU Supreme Student Council, and Youth for Foresight and Sustainable Regenerative Tomorrows (Y-FOREST), successfully conducted the “Siyasip: Empowering NextGen 4.0 Through Futures Design” and the 2nd NextGen Anticipatory Governance & RegenX Summit.

Students showcased visionary dioramas, speculative prototypes, and transformative futures designs that reflected their hopes, fears, and aspirations for society, governance, technology, sustainability, and humanity. Through futures thinking, design imagination, and anticipatory governance, participants were challenged to move beyond predicting the future—and instead become active architects of regenerative and human-centered tomorrows.

As young changemakers continue to reimagine possible futures, Northwestern University reaffirms its commitment to cultivating futures-ready leaders capable of shaping inclusive, sustainable, and transformative societies.

Photos by Sean Lorenzo, 3rd Year BS Psychology Students

Welcoming another futures-ready mind to the NWU PhilForesight Institute!

We welcome Mr. Aaron Zandler Guillermo as our newest Futures Researcher, joining a growing community dedicated to foresight, innovation, and transformative thinking.

At the Institute, we believe that shaping better futures begins with curious minds, collaborative action, and the courage to imagine beyond the present. We look forward to the ideas, energy, and insights Sir Aaron will contribute in advancing futures literacy and anticipatory governance.

Welcome to the Institute, Sir Aaron!

Celebrating the leadership and inspiring journey of Prof. Jezreel Larry R. Caunca, Director and Futures Education Specialist of the NWU PhilForesight Institute.

Your dedication to advancing futures literacy, anticipatory governance, and regenerative education continues to empower young people, institutions, and communities toward more conscious and transformative futures. From representing Northwestern University on global platforms to championing futures thinking in education, your work continues to inspire meaningful change across the Philippines and beyond.

May this new year of your life bring continued purpose, wisdom, opportunities, and breakthroughs as you shape futures with passion and impact.

Happy Birthday, Prof. Jezreel Larry R. Caunca!

UNESCO Chair Cruz Champions Regenerative Futures at the 9th International Interdisciplinary Research Conference

The UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities proudly participated in the 9th International Interdisciplinary Research Conference (IIRC) of St. Paul University Philippines, held from May 14–16, 2026 at the SPUP Global Center. Anchored on the theme, “Futures Thinking: Smart, Sustainable, and Socially Responsive Research and Innovations,” the conference gathered educators, researchers, professionals, and students from the Philippines and abroad to advance interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and transformative research for future societal challenges.

As one of the keynote and plenary speakers, UNESOC Chair Shermon O. Cruz delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “From ESG to Regenerative Futures: Expanding the Knowledge Base of Sustainability and Innovation Research.” In his talk, he challenged participants to move beyond traditional sustainability frameworks and embrace regenerative, futures-oriented, and human-centered approaches in research, governance, and innovation ecosystems.

The conference highlighted the growing importance of futures literacy, anticipatory governance, and interdisciplinary scholarship in addressing emerging global complexities. Through keynote sessions, plenary discussions, and concurrent research presentations across fields such as health sciences, teacher education, engineering, information technology, business, humanities, and sustainable innovation, the event fostered meaningful exchanges on building smarter, more sustainable, and socially responsive futures.

The UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities extends its gratitude to St. Paul University Philippines and its international partners for creating a dynamic platform that strengthens global academic collaboration and advances transformative futures-oriented education and research.

Photos from: St. Paul University Philippines

Join us this May 21, 2026 at the Northwestern University Student Center for two transformative gatherings that bring together youth leadership, futures literacy, regenerative thinking, and anticipatory governance.

⚡ Siyasip: Empowering NextGen 4.0 Through Futures Design
A celebration of student imagination, innovation, and future-ready leadership across disciplines — empowering the next generation to become active architects of preferred futures.

🌍 2nd NextGen Anticipatory Governance & RegenX Summit
A convergence of futures thinkers, educators, youth leaders, and changemakers committed to regenerative futures, systems transformation, and anticipatory action for communities and institutions.

Together with our partners ,we continue to champion futures literacy and regenerative education in the Philippines and beyond!

Another futures-ready mind empowered through lifelong learning and foresight education.

Congratulations to Mr. Rossel Almazan Florendo for successfully completing the Futures Thinking Specialization of the Institute for the Future through Coursera. This achievement reflects the growing commitment of the NWU community to futures literacy, anticipatory thinking, and transformative action toward building more resilient and regenerative futures.

The NWU PhilForesight Institute proudly celebrates individuals who continue to expand their understanding of the future through innovation, foresight, and continuous learning.