Strengthening foresight and the role of future generations in Finnish lawmaking

From an international comparison, Finland already has an advanced national foresight system and can be regarded as a pioneer in future-regarding policymaking. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of using foresight and considering future generations as a part of lawmaking. Such improvement could be achieved by developing and upgrading the existing institutions and practices and by making more incremental changes in practices, modes of interaction, and attitudes. For example, foresight should be conducted more as a continuous activity, and future generations’ interests and rights should be considered more systematically in legislative processes, while acknowledging the plurality of future interests.

This research supported the preparation of the second part of the Government Report on the Future.