We are living through an unprecedented convergence of global crises—what many now call a polycrisis. Climate change, rising inequality, political fragmentation, and a deteriorating sense of global unity are no longer isolated challenges; they feed into and amplify one another, creating a sense of deep uncertainty about the future. In such a landscape, the pull towards backward thinking is growing stronger. We see it in the resurgence of nationalism, authoritarianism, and a longing for the ‘good old days,’ when many feel the world was simpler and more predictable.
But the past is not a roadmap for the future, and retreating into nostalgia won’t solve today’s complex problems. In fact, it often exacerbates them. What we need now, more than ever, is not a return to old ways but a leap into something new—a future that is shaped by bold, progressive ideas that address the scale of the challenges we face. This is where the power of imagination comes in, and why imagination activism is essential in our time.
Imagination activism is the act of intentionally using creative vision to build a tangible, positive image of the future, one that can inspire and mobilize collective action. It is about using our capacity to dream, create, and envision in order to navigate uncertainty, overcome fear, and push forward rather than retreat. In doing so, imagination can be the foundation for building pathways that take us from where we are today to where we need to go tomorrow.
The Power of Imagination in Times of Crisis
In times of crisis, imagination often feels like a luxury we can’t afford. When the world is on fire—both literally and figuratively—survival instincts take over, and we focus on the immediate problems at hand. However, crises are precisely when imagination becomes most critical. It is during these moments of disorientation that new ways of thinking and being are needed to break free from outdated systems and structures.
Imagination allows us to rise above the overwhelming nature of the present and project our minds into the future. It enables us to ask not just “What is?” but “What could be?” This is where creativity, as the lifeblood of imagination, plays a crucial role. Creative thinking breaks down the boundaries of what is considered possible, allowing us to reframe problems and see solutions where none seemed to exist before. Without imagination, we risk getting stuck in the same cycles of thinking and acting that brought us to the very crises we now face.
Creativity as a Catalyst for Transformation
Imagination is often seen as an abstract concept—something for dreamers and artists, far removed from the practical concerns of politics, economics, and survival. But in reality, creativity and imagination are vital for addressing these very concerns. They are the first steps toward transforming not just how we think but how we act in the world. Creative approaches to problem-solving, policy-making, and community-building open up new avenues for progress, enabling us to transcend the limitations of current systems.
The cultural sector, in particular, holds a powerful role in shaping collective imagination. Art, literature, music, film, and other cultural expressions are more than entertainment; they are vehicles for envisioning different realities. Culture has the power to spark movements, shift mindsets, and change the course of history. Throughout human history, cultural revolutions have gone hand-in-hand with political and social change. Consider how the civil rights movements of the 1960s were fueled not only by political activism but by the music, literature, and visual arts that captured the collective imagination and spirit of resistance.
In today’s world, cultural activism can be just as transformative. Artists, writers, and creatives of all kinds are often the first to imagine new ways of being—whether it’s through speculative fiction that explores utopian futures, documentaries that highlight social justice movements, or visual art that challenges the status quo. These imaginative acts are not just expressions of hope; they are blueprints for what is possible. They provide tangible visions of futures that we can work towards, countering the despair that often accompanies polycrises.
Futures Thinking: Bridging Imagination and Reality
While imagination provides the spark, turning vision into action requires structure and intentionality. One powerful approach to making the future tangible is futures thinking. Futures thinking is a strategic tool that encourages us to explore multiple scenarios for the future, enabling us to move beyond short-term problem-solving and think long-term. It allows us to imagine both positive and negative outcomes, helping us prepare for uncertainty while staying focused on our goals.
Futures thinking shifts the narrative from reactive to proactive. Rather than simply responding to crises as they occur, it allows us to anticipate future trends, challenges, and opportunities. By exploring different possible futures, we can develop adaptive strategies that respond to the complexities of the present while remaining rooted in a vision of a better future.
This methodology is particularly important when it comes to addressing the interwoven crises of our time. Whether we’re talking about climate change, social inequality, or the transformation of democratic institutions, the issues we face are deeply interconnected. Futures thinking allows us to see the full picture and to understand how different factors might play out in various scenarios. Most importantly, it gives us the tools to shape the future we want by making informed choices today.
Culture as a Force for Collective Imagination
The role of culture in shaping our collective imagination cannot be overstated. In moments of uncertainty, cultural expressions become a mirror to society’s struggles and dreams. But more than a reflection, culture acts as a catalyst for collective action. It challenges dominant narratives and opens up new possibilities for how we might live together.
Art and culture create spaces for dialogue and experimentation. They offer a form of activism that goes beyond protests and policy debates, one that operates at the level of values, perceptions, and beliefs. By imagining futures through creative mediums, artists help society see beyond the limitations of the present. For example, speculative fiction can help us envision a world transformed by climate justice, or a society where equity is not a distant dream but a present reality. These cultural narratives fuel the imagination of movements, helping us see not just the possibility of change but the pathways to achieve it.
Making the Future Tangible
The ultimate goal of imagination activism is not to simply dream of a better world but to make it real. This requires us to anchor our visions in concrete action. How can we build the future we imagine? The answer lies in bridging creativity with strategic thinking and collective effort. Futures thinking helps us chart a course, but it is creativity that drives us forward.
Imagination activism invites everyone—artists, activists, policymakers, educators, and citizens—to participate in the act of envisioning the future. It asks us to embrace creativity not as a luxury but as a necessity for survival. It challenges us to use our collective imagination to not only critique what is but to actively create what could be.
Conclusion: The Future is Built on Imagination
In times of uncertainty, imagination is not an escape—it is a revolutionary act. It is the foundation upon which new futures are built, and creativity is the tool that turns those visions into reality. By fostering a culture of imagination, we can resist the pull of backward thinking and move toward a progressive, inclusive future that addresses the root causes of today’s crises.
Imagination activism, with its focus on creativity, culture, and futures thinking, offers a powerful antidote to the despair of the polycrisis. It is a call to not only dream of a better world but to create it—through art, through policy, and through collective action. The future, in all its uncertainty, is ours to shape. Let’s imagine it, and let’s build it together.