What if the narratives we read about the future inspired hope instead of fear?

14.11.2025

The media has a powerful role in shaping how we imagine the future. Too often, public conversations about the future are dominated by crises and uncertainty, dystopias and techno optimism. But what if we flipped the script and created positive future narratives that spark action and build trust?

On Thursday November 13th, 2025, the Finnish Expert Panel for Sustainable Development hosted a futures design workshop at Puistokatu 4, together with HELSUS and Falay Transition Design. We brought journalists and sustainability researchers into the same room to co-create visions of sustainable, hopeful futures. The panel members Lassi Linnanen, Anna-Maria Teperi, Leena Aarikka Stenroos, Minna Kaljonen and Katriina Siivonen were also present at the workshop.

The evening started with an immersive time-travel experience through Room 2050, exploring objects from a possible future. Then, using storytelling and futures-thinking methods, participants designed positive futures narratives that could help accelerate the sustainability transition.

Thank you to everyone for their creativity and inspiring discussions. Let’s keep building futures worth believing in!