Civil society and the Governance of the future

This research aims to use the implementation of The well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2016 as a case study to explore the implications of policy aimed at anticipating and managing future risk, thereby establishing the future as an object of governance. The Well-being of Future Generations Act places an emphasis on improved well-being, social justice, and environmental sustainability, and outlines a national vision for a future Wales based around seven well-being goals. The degree to which these well-being goals are relevant to 'all people in all parts of Wales' has been questioned, a concern being that through 'chronological imperialism', policies of future governance can enable powerful actors in the present to 'colonise' the future to the exclusion of alternative future imaginaries. In an effort to democratise the Well-being of Future Generations Act, implementation is devolved to the local authority level where Public Services Boards have autonomy to taylor the Act's delivery to local well-being priorities. This however has the potential to lead to issue of spatial justice as different aspects of well-being are prioritised in different parts of Wales.
This research aims to analyse and compare the different ways the act is being implemented in different regions of Wales and the implications this may have for issues of spatial justice. A comparison of similar legislation targeting well-being and sustainability in other countries is also intended.