The Malaysian Government is embarking on series of Government Transformation Program in the public sector to attain the Vision 2020 aspirations. These strategic reformations will include the overarching governing principles of inclusive development outlined within the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015), New Economic Model, Government Transformation Program, and the Economic Transformation Program.
In line with these transformative reforms at the national level, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) will be cooperating with the Public Service Department of Malaysia (JPA) through Malaysian Foresight Institute (myForesight®) to chart a Report on the Futures of Public Services in Malaysia using foresight practices and methodologies. This project is part of UNDP’s Country Program Action Plan, a joint collaboration initiative with Government of Malaysia through the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) which will support and complement the5 Thrusts in Malaysia’s National Mission as follows:
a) To move the economy up the value chain;
b) To raise capacity for knowledge and innovation and nurture a “first class mentality”;
c) To address persistent socio-economic inequalities constructively and productively;
d) To improve the standard and sustainability of quality of life; and
e) To strengthen institutional and implementation capacity.
One of the main outcomes from this Action Plan Program is the Development of Foresight Capabilities in Public Services. myForesight®will be conducting a few “Futures Thinking and Scenario Planning” workshop with JPA and INTAN as a move to mainstream Foresight practices amongst Public Servants.
The first workshop on “Futures Thinking and Scenario Planning” workshop was held from 18 to 20 March 2014 in MIGHT. Around 35 participants from JPA and INTAN attended the workshop on the pretext to train the trainers in INTAN and JPA into understanding Foresight and its practices. This move will later transpired INTAN into developing a Scenario Planning module as part of Future thinking and strategic planning module. During the workshop, participants will learn tools and techniques to understand and shape the future of the organization and policy area. Through lectures and tutorials, and work on a specific case study, the participants is expected to have a better understanding of how different futures may come about, and how to be in the best position to confront them.
