The Next Era

We are building understanding of current societal transformations and future of a just society. Learn more about us.

The Next Era of well-being

How do we build well-being in the future? The vision for the next era of well-being provides guidelines for a progressive social policy aiming at a fair and sustainable future.

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This is what the next era of well-being looks like

publications

The next era of well-being

What is this about?

The vision for the next era of well-being is based on Sitra and Demos Helsinki’s initiative, The Next Era.

Read more by clicking the button or here and see also the publications below.

LATEST

Find out what’s happening.

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Visiofest presents a wide range of Finnish foresight work and future visions

Comment

Understanding the basic concepts of foresight and three tips for the foresight jungle

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What will a flourishing society look like in 2050? A new book presents a vision of future well-being

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Seven tips for vision creators

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Instructions for using the trend cards

Comment

Three tips for developing futures literacy

publications

The next era of well-being

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Victim, adapter or solution provider?

archived

“It’s a long way to Denmark for many”*

archived

Hoping for a vision that works? Avoid these mistakes!

articles

This is what the next era of well-being looks like

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Ten ways to strengthen democracy around the world

Discussion

Future work experts: “There will always be a need for meaningful activity”

archived

Basic income is just the beginning as Finland, one of the most innovative governments in the world, looks to citizen-driven governance

archived

The rise of Germany’s populist party might signal the end of Western democracy

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Is hope for a better future disappearing?

PUBLICATIONS

The Next Era publications provide different viewpoints on the ongoing societal transformation and its implications. The publications and Megatrends 2017 highlight some of the most important phenomena that will influence well-being in the Nordic countries in the future.

THE NEXT ERA OF WELL-BEING

The fifth publication presents the core findings of the work. What does the next era of well-being look like? Get to know the ideals, vision and solutions.

publications

The next era of well-being

Writers

Building the future well-being.

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Aleksi Neuvonen
CO-FOUNDER, Demos Helsinki
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Julia Jousilahti
Researcher, Demos Helsinki

PLANETARY BOUNDARIES

The fourth publication discusses how the global sustainability crisis is challenging the Nordic model of well-being, and potential roles for Finland and other Nordic countries in solving the crisis.

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Victim, adapter or solution provider?

Writers

Sold on sustainability.

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Laura Järvinen
Senior Lead, Nature and daily life
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Sari Laine
Senior Lead, Nature and daily life
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Anu Mänty
Senior Lead, Sustainability solutions
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Mari Pantsar
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Janne Peljo
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Vesa-Matti Lahti
Senior Lead, Foresight and Strategy
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Tuula Sjöstedt
Specialist, Communications and Public Affairs

GROWTH AND PROGRESS

The third part of the publication looks at progress in developed societies where low economic growth is the new norm and proposes a new, pluralistic view.

Main essay

Ready, set, go!

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Rewiring progress

Articles

A small click for man…

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Ten fascinating initiatives in societal progress

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Martha Nussbaum and Saul Levmore want to age wisely

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Is hope for a better future disappearing?

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The revolution of global democracy

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The abundant society

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Could compulsory education last a lifetime?

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Growth and progress: a venture investor’s perspective

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The economy is a means to an end

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Challenges of measuring the digital economy

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The Next Era: Growth and progress

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Evidence-based approaches and experiments – Towards progressive policymaking?

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The structures of a sustainable economy are constantly renewing

Writers

Re-programming progress.

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Aleksi Neuvonen
CO-FOUNDER, Demos Helsinki
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Rikard Linde
head of the Digital Society programme, Fores
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Eeva Hellström
Senior Lead, Tomorrow’s economy
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Jenna Lähdemäki-Pekkinen
Specialist (on extended leave), Foresight
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Timo Hämäläinen
Senior Lead, Competitiveness through data
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Lari Hokkanen
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Jaakko Seppänen
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Ilkka Ylhäinen
Researcher, Etlatieto Oy
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Albert Wenger
Partner, Union Square Ventures
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Johannes Anttila
Oppimo
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Jukka Vahti
Project Director, Digital power and democracy

DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION

In the second part of the three part publication we identify the forces that are changing democracy and participation – and offer solutions to make them stronger.

Main essay

Straight to the point.

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From the trials of democracy towards future participation

Articles

Tickle your mind.

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Ten interesting initiatives in democracy and participation

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With meaningful conversations comes the true potential of participatory democracy

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Five interesting thinkers and doers – democracy

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Democracy in the age of mega-regional trade agreements

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The Nordic model is not about well-being – It is about capabilities

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Separate or together? – What can cities and suburbs teach us about inclusion?

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“Politics is broken” – or is it that the ideological battle has simply made a return to politics?

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Democracy on the defensive – the beginning of the end or a normal seasonal variation?

Vaaliuurna, jonka lämpötilaa mittaa lämpömittari ja pulssia tunnustelee stetoskooppi.
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The era of populism – seasonal fluctuation or permanent change?

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The algorithmic democracy – how did the technological transformation lead to the post-truth era?

Writers

A clickety clique.

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Hannu-Pekka Ikäheimo
Project Director, New forms of participation
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Katja Lindroos
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Ville Blåfield
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Juhana Aunesluoma

WORK AND INCOME

Read the first of a three part publication on the future of just society in the digital era. In these articles we look at how societies react to massive changes in the global mechanics of work.

Main essay

Look out below!

publications

Work and income in the next era

Articles

Food for the mind.

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Top 10 initiatives in the fields of work and income

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New work in the platform economy

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Basic income and the new universalism

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Rethinking domestic and urban spaces for a better future: lessons from the Spanish property bubble

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“For many people, flexibility at work can be a liberation.” Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts

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Thorough socialisation of the economy?

Tax bear
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Digitalisation and the future of taxation

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Five experts in ‘new work’ and income that are worth following

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Does basic income solve anything? Grasp the arguments for and against

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Spoiler: It’s not the rise of populism. What does the elephant chart really tell us?

Writers

A clickety clique.

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Antti Hautamäki
Senior Associate, Demos Helsinki
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Henrik Suikkanen
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Jaakko Lindgren
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Aleksi Neuvonen
CO-FOUNDER, Demos Helsinki
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Johanna Perkiö
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Johannes Koponen
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Juha Leppänen
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Katariina Rantanen
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Lari Hokkanen
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Maria Sisternas Tusell
CEO, Mediaurban
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Vesa-Matti Lahti
Senior Lead, Foresight and Strategy
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Minea Koskinen
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Pekka Myrskylä
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Roope Mokka
Co-Founder, Demos Helsinki

Sitra & Demos Helsinki

Think tanks – together.