The PASCAL Centre for Africa proudly presents the “Trends2017” Conference that will take place from 17 to 19 October 2017 at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa. We would like you to participate in this astonishing event. Since the inauguration of PASCAL International Observatory we are delighted to host the event in South Africa for the first time.

The fields of research, teaching and policies in the economic, social, demographic, technology and other sciences have been changing rapidly over the last few years and so are the environments and markets that it operates in.  The future is inherently unpredictable, however everyone needs to look at trends because they inform our ideas of “who, what, where, why and when?” for the future. The awareness of trends in our professional lives is important as it broadens our horizons and forms the base of our decision making.

The Conference organisers were inspired by a publication of the OECD: “Trends shaping education, 2016” and have decided to have the main trends mentioned in this publication as the main themes for the 2017 Conference:

1.     Globalisation

In essence globalisation is the widening, deepening and speeding up of connections across national borders. The themes evolving from this trend for example are: transport, technology, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity, democratisation of countries, international trade, foreign direct investment, financial integration, climate change, food security, conflict and political/economic instability, migration, inequality, and the military.

2.  The future of the nation-state

This theme tackles the central role the state still plays in ensuring the well-being and security of its citizens. Themes evolving inter alia include: health and pensions, productivity and skills, the female labour force, national security.

3.  Are cities the new countries?

The rising trend of megacities, with populations larger than small countries is happening. Themes evolving are for example: the liveability of cities, poverty, labour market exclusion, crime, safety, transport systems, urban decay, city governance, education, literacy, creativity and innovation.

4.  Family matters

The dominant family model in the 20th century- characterised by a breadwinning father and a mother taking care of the household and a number of children, has changed. Themes evolving from this transformation: family and family structures, health care, education, cyber risks, stress.

5.  A brave new world

Technology is transforming our lives. Mobile and adaptive technologies allow us to buy and pay for products and services online. Innovations in energy are happing. Themes evolving are: viruses, diseases, information and communication technology, mutations, performance enhancing drugs; the blue economy, the green economy.

If you have been part of the PASCAL network conference series you will see that the 2017 conference has themes to fit in with the times and the “value offering” it has to offer to delegates, potential sponsors, and stakeholders. For the 2017 conference we have gone the extra mile to open up a unique platform that will ensure that all needs will be provided. As friend of the PASCAL Network or participant you’re welcome to visit our website. The website was designed to give you all the relevant information that you might need in order to register for this conference.  You will also find that the general theme of the event being “Which Way to Go” broadens the scope for you to join us in sharing new worldviews, methodologies, statistics, forecasts and the status of research that has already been prepared in this field as well as the needs that arises on a continuous basis for stimulating not only the South African economy but also the economy of Africa and others in general.

The Trends2017 Conference is not just a mediocre conference, it’s a meeting place for thinkers that will be rethinking and reinventing education, government, jobs, products and services using the new trends in economics, social, demography and technology.