Participatory backcasting: Building pathways towards reconciliation?. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nikolakis, William
• Is Part Of: Futures. Volume 122(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Backcasting -- Normative scenarios -- Indigenous peoples -- Storytelling -- Rural communities -- Reconciliation; Economic forecasting -- Periodicals; Technological forecasting -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; Prévision économique -- Périodiques; Prévision technologique -- Périodiques; Politique économique -- Périodiques; Economic forecasting; Economic policy; Technological forecasting; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330.0112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2020.102603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-3287

Abstract

Highlights: Scenarios are stories that build shared meaning on futures. Participatory backcasting created normative futures and actions to achieve these. Backcasting is an accessible tool for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Involving change makers was critical for implementing actions post-workshop. Participatory backcasting can catalyze action towards reconciliation. Abstract: Stories create shared meaning between people. Scenarios are stories that provide people an opportunity to share their personal narratives of the future. This study documents how a participatory backcasting approach enabled communities to produce a range of normative scenarios and the policy pathways to achieve these desired states. The study created a space for constructive face-to-face dialogue in a community historically characterised by land use conflict. The sharing of scenarios through storytelling, helped bridge epistemic and cultural divides and created shared narratives of the future. Scenarios were place-based and focused on transforming the economy towards sustainability, and enabling political and economic reconciliation between First Nations (Indigenous peoples) and non-First Nations peoples. This approach fostered social learning, and strengthened networks across groups. The involvement of change-makers to action policy pathways was important for advancing post-workshop cooperation, and catalyzed meaningful steps towards reconciliation.