Overview
The Scenarios for the Future of Southeast Alaska are stories about what could happen in Southeast in the future, from 2025 to 2050. They are not stories about what will happen (forecasts) or what should happen (a vision). Rather, the scenarios hypothesize different ways the future could unfold for the region’s communities, economy, environment, and culture. The purpose of these stories is to offer a shared language for talking together about what is possible and what must be done.
The Role of Scenarios
In an uncertain future, scenarios help build shared capacity to kaagwa (talk) together about how things could unfold. Thinking about the future together can help people wooch.éen (collaborate) to focus their energy on creating the future they hope to see and maintain their values no matter what lies ahead.
Scenarios play a unique role in strategic planning. Because they are fictional, and because they come in sets of two or more different, plausible stories, they offer the advantage of supporting informed debate without committing anyone to any particular policy position. Although we cannot predict or control the future, scenarios show us that we can work with and influence it.
How can this tool support your work?
These open-source stories were developed by 40 contributors from across our diverse region. There are no limits on how they can be used—the simplest place to start is by reading them and sharing them with your circle. They can be used to guide a Tribal council’s next visioning session, spark a solution-focused conversation on a contentious topic, help build resilience within your business, or guide your organization’s strategic planning workshop.
Resources
Scenarios Overview
This publication outlines four plausible and relevant futures for Southeast Alaska developed by the Scenario Team, a group of 40 Southeast Alaskans representing a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more, start here!
How-to Guide for Using the Scenarios
Ready to use Scenarios as a tool for more expansive and solution-focused discussion?
Check out the how-to guide for facilitation activities that can lead to and more resilient and flexible decision-making, no matter what the future holds.
