Teasing Paradoxes to Explore Transformative Futures of Peace
: Heinonen, Sirkka; Pättikangas, Paula; Viitamäki, Riku; Taylor, Amos
Publisher: Tamkang University
: TAMSUI
: 2025
: Journal of Futures Studies: Epistemology, Methods, Applied and Alternative Futures
: JOURNAL OF FUTURES STUDIES
: J FUTURES STUD
: 29
: 4
: 5
: 17
: 13
: 1027-6084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6531/JFS.202506_29(4).0002
: https://jfsdigital.org/2025-2/vol-29-no-4-june-2025/teasing-paradoxes-to-explore-transformative-futures-of-peace/
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499184849
This paper discusses the outcome of a methodologically innovative foresight exercise. A Futures Clinique was conducted to address paradoxes of peace. For the purpose, a novel method of p'aradox probing' was launched where paradoxes are employed as tools for sense-making for future developments concerning complex issues. Various paradoxes around peace were identified and compared. The results as thematically analysed show us the necessity of constructing preferred futures amidst pressing global challenges and tensions. Such a preferred future is positive peace and implications it encompasses. Further efforts will be made to relate the present-day paradoxes closely to futures contexts.
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We wish to express our gratitude to all those who have kindly contributed their valuable time and profound insights to our work: project researchers as well as the moderators, preparers, presenters and the participants of our workshop Transformative Futures of Peace and Work - Paradoxes and Polycomplexities at the WFSF Conference XXV Exploring Liminalities - Creating Spaces for Unlimited Futures , Paris, 27th Oct 2023. This article is based on the funding provided by the Research Council of Finland for our T -winning Spaces 2035 project (Winning spatial solutions for future work, enabling the double twin transition of digital/green and virtual/physical transforming our societies by 2035) (decision #353326) and for our RESCUE project (Real Estate in Sustainable Crisis Management in Urban Environment) (decision #340185) .
