FOREWORD
When renowned futurist Jim Dator visited New Zealand early in
the year 2000, he asked his audiences whether any had undertaken
a formal course of “futures studies” in their schooling. None
had. However when the same question was asked about the past,
most hands were raised. At the beginning of the twenty-first century,
this is not a good balance.
We do not dismiss the past. It remains an important area of
study. However we have no influence over things that have already
happened. The future is different, because it is in our power
to imagine the future we want and to work towards its achievement.
It is exciting to see that the writers of the new Social Studies
Curriculum have recognised this by including a futures thinking
component in the document they have created.
Cultural factors have an important influence on the way people
conceive and create their own future. “Our Creative Diversity”,
the report to UNESCO of the World Commission on Culture and Development
published in 1995, highlighted this. Since then UNESCO has been
working to promote cultural diversity and creativity in the face
of a trend towards globalisation, which threatens to swamp cultural
identity. We must draw on the creativity that springs from our
cultural diversity.
I am delighted therefore that the New Zealand National Commission
for UNESCO and the New Zealand Futures Trust was able jointly
to develop the initial "Cultural Futures" pack. Teachers
and students are able to explore issues of future cultural identity,
diversity and globalisation in positive and constructive ways,
enabling students to confront their resistance and fear about
cross-cultural issues.
Māori see both the past and future ahead of them in their engagements
with the present. It is appropriate and timely for the Cultural
Futures Kit to now be developed in te reo Māori. The intended
audience for Ahurea ki Tua is the present generation of young
Māori who are keeping te reo Māori alive for future generations.
The Kit will be used wherever te reo Māori is the medium of instruction.
New words in te reo Māori have been developed to express the emerging
challenges of contemporary cultural issues.
This resource, funded by the Ministry of Education, is a welcome
enhancement of the powerful work commenced by the New Zealand
Futures Trust. I believe it will help young people to further
appreciate cultural diversity, to debate options for their futures,
and to develop the skills they will need to create a positive
world for themselves and generations to follow.
Hon. Margaret Austin
Chair, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
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