TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

SCENARIO 2: WILD CATS OF EQUALITY
“Harnessing the knowledge economy”
This scenario is founded on a system of shared values, a fair
distribution of opportunity and a desire for sustainable
development. It is held that these are best attained through a
strong framework of public policy under the aegis of a
forceful European Union. There is the assumption of a
worldwide metamorphosis with commercial and institutional
renewal accelerating across the developed world, with policymaking
and decision-taking having become increasingly
delegated and expert. The emphasis throughout is on
collective, collaborative and consensual action, shaped by
commonly held attitudes and aspirations.
Global
It is a “transformed world” in 2030, where social and economic change gives rise to enlightened
policies and voluntary actions that shape or supplement market forces. Civic society has the
power to frame social and political agendas: there has been the ‘greening’ of a growing number
of global corporations; and the imaginative use of new technologies has expanded
communications networks and services worldwide.
There is a trend towards a more peaceful, equitable and environmentally stable world. Greater
access to information exists, power is more widely shared, new grass roots coalitions shaping
the actions of governments and institutions have sprung-up, and the form of governance has
generally been broadened. Communities make use of market forces with social and
environmental goals, accepting economic competition but not losing sight of the need for
making deliberate social choices and meeting basic human needs.
This is a world of highly co-ordinated environmental and social initiatives in which the resources
and persuasive powers of a number of groups are harnessed for specific actions on a global
scale. Founded in 2025, the most influential institution is the Global Ecosystem Agency.
Created to promote sustainable development, the GEA serves as the organisational centre for
the development of worldwide policies and standards, and, with the WTO, acts as enforcer of
those policies. Over the past twenty years, indeed, governance itself has slowly been
transformed through the widespread embedding of the sustainable development concept in
business, civic and government institutions.
During the first two decades of the 21 st century, Asian economic growth continued at a rapid
pace. By contrast, growth in Europe and North America was relatively slow as a result of the
demands of an ageing population and half-hearted attempts at social and economic
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