Future Trend Report: Emerging Technology

Civic Space 2040 Initiative

PUBLISHED: MARCH 2020

The potential impacts of emerging digital technology on civil society are widely discussed, but much more could be done to prepare civil society for a digital world. This briefing explores the trends in emerging digital technology most likely to shape civic space, and opportunities for civil society advocates to mitigate and capitalize on the changes ahead.

Over the next two decades, environmental, technological, and demographic trends will dramatically change how we live our lives. A vibrant civic space is essential to ensure everyone can fully participate in shaping this future. ICNL launched Civic Space 2040 — a futurist initiative to craft a positive vision for civic space and map strategies to make it a reality. The initiative explores trends that will radically transform the future and discusses ways in which these trends will affect civic space. This briefing, authored by Poonam Joshi, is one in a series commissioned by ICNL to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.