The Foresight programme (managed by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)) aims to improve the competitiveness of the UK economy, and enhance the quality of life, by bringing together business, the science base and Government to identify and respond to emerging opportunities in markets and technologies. The programme was launched in 1994 and is spearheaded by 16 independent panels set up to explore opportunities in different sectors of the economy. The panels include representatives from business, Government and academia. Following widespread consultation involving some 10,000 people, the panels published their findings and recommendations in 1995. The current phase of the programme aims to engage the wider business community in Foresight, reaching out beyond the research and development functions in companies. A second national Foresight review will begin in 1999.
Outputs are based around the work of a number of subjet focused panels including:
- Agriculture, Horticulture & Forestry
- Chemicals
- Construction
- Defence & Aerospace
- Energy
- Financial Services
- Food Chain Group
- Food & Drink
- Health & Life Sciences
- Information Technology, Electronics & Communications
- Leisure and Learning
- Manufacturing, Production & Business Processes
- Marine Materials
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Retail & Distribution
- Transport
- Health Informatics
WWW site includes full text and summaries of Foresight reports, information from/on Foresight Panels, plus the Foresight Link newsletter