Exploring the UAE as a Platform for the Future: Building Consensus Through the Experiential

On Tuesday, April 30, 2019, Meridian International Center and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., opened a window to the future and the myriad ways the UAE is becoming the center for innovation and culture through a series discussion followed by a lunch reception.

Museum professionals and technology aficionados from across D.C. came together to learn about the ability of the 21^st Century and how we can successfully navigate the transition from the 20^th Century into the future.

The event’s discussion included a presentation by Dr. Noah Raford, Chief of Global Affairs and Futurist in Chief at the Dubai Future Foundation and Museum of the Future, followed by a conversation with Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of Meridian International Center. Dana Al Marashi, Head of Cultural Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in D.C., introduced the two speakers inviting guests to step into Dr. Raford’s concept for the Museum of the Future.

“The UAE is small enough to get this done, big enough to matter” said Dr. Raford, “and has the political will to get it done.” The Museum of Future prototypes a better world and fosters innovation, while honoring the legacy of early 21st century norms. There is tremendous anxiety, fear, and irreversible change happening in the world surrounding climate change, artificial intelligence, and automation. The Museum of the Future, states Dr. Raford, utilizes the best of today’s advances to educate the next generations in tangible and experimental ways.

Dr. Raford highlighted the museum as an example of how the experiential is a powerful tool for generating consensus among a diverse set of stakeholders.  The Museum of the Future prompts conversations about the future that the people want. It generates demand for futures, creating markets and communities that reflect the changing universal social and technological climate.

After the discussion, guests enjoyed dishes prepared by the Embassy.

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