Past Program

Big ideas shape societies for decades. Often slow to mature, they influence political and financial systems and power paradigms across the world. Yet anti-intellectualism and culture wars are on the rise in today’s attention economy, with declining space for deliberative democracy, and COVID-19 highlighting deep structural fault lines.

Not all wisdom comes from the streets but these are now the most visible source of energy for change. Mainstream sectors seem afflicted by short-termism, institutional inertia, and the “tyranny of metrics.” Will philanthropic foundations envision new ways to partner and invest in ideas to shape a better world for all? Can we get real about the scale of financial and talent investment needed to secure human and planetary health?  

Join us for the third Designs on the Future webinar exploring how leaders in philanthropy and higher education can reset the debate and help lay foundations for the big ideas of the future.