Human Agency as a Factor in Designing the Future, Distributed Educational Networks Planning, and Space Travel

Participants of International Symposium “Foresight in a Rapidly Changing World” which took place on 16 April 2026 under XXVI April International Academic Conference Named After Evgeny Yasin discussed the future of man and society. Mikhail Goland, Director of the Center for Strategic Forecasting of HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, moderated the discussion. 

Pavel Sorokin (HSE Institute of Education) opened the session “The Future of Man and Society”, talking about the concept of "human agency" - the ability of a person to proactively influence the environment and initiate change, and its role in corporate transformations. The speaker noted that, in the context of growing variability of social and economic structures, many foresight practitioners do not sufficiently take into account idea of ​​human agency as increasingly important factor in shaping the future. Accordingly, there is a need for a new tool - "agent-based" foresight of human potential, which allows identifying and predicting agentic abilities of employees when making management decisions.

To solve this problem, P. Sorokin proposed using tools such as foresight screening of agent potential, designing educational and employment trajectories, and forecasting success of transformations. The proposed approach was illustrated by the results of 400+ people survey, based on which groups with varying degrees of agency were identified, “corporate entrepreneurs” becoming a key group for business, as well a stable positive relationship was established between the manifestation of agency in educational experience and subsequent agentic status in labor market.

Jose Cordeiro’s (Millennium Project, Spain) presentation “Space Travel and First Colonies in the Moon and Mars” on the future of humanity in space was built around an idea of ​​moving beyond the known, in keeping with the Spanish motto "Plus Ultra" (beyond the limit), with Mars seen as the new frontier. But the speaker also recalled the fragility and uniqueness of our world, which gives humanity's expansion into space an ethical and philosophical resonance.

Cordeiro discussed the current state of space programmes, which was illustrated by an impressive list of both participating countries (Russia, China, the US, etc.) and private companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc.) competing in race to Mars. He also noted that the topic of humanity's expansion beyond Earth is becoming a subject of serious scientific and engineering analysis, not just science fiction. Scientists are already practicing survival skills, teamwork, and research in conditions similar to extraterrestrial environments.

The presentation concluded with philosophical and historical generalizations: from Konstantin Tsiolkovsky’s quote that Earth is a cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever, to mentions of potentially habitable exoplanets and evolution lasting billions of years. For J. Cordeiro, space expansion is not only technological but also spiritual challenge, requiring rethinking of humanity's place in the Universe. This leads to speaker's main thesis: the first Martians will be human, and corresponding mission will be the next big step, comparable to N. Armstrong's landing on the Moon.

Khania Kadyrova (Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev)examined design of distributed educational network as promising solution to problems of training engineering personnel. The key element of the model she proposed is methodology for teaching engineering that allows educational systems gradual transformation. The educational process is based on principles integrating education, science and industry using interdisciplinary methods.

To forecast educational systems development and assess risks, Foresight methodology and integrative approach are used, which take into account external and internal environment interaction at different levels. At regional level, integrative approach is complemented by comprehensive approach (considering diversity of agents), at subregional level - by resource approach (combining resources of social partners), and at implementing educational programmes level - by programme-targeted management.

A "distributed network" is proposed as a promising model for organizing training. According to H. Kadyrova, it allows to ensure conscious choice of professional education, build one's individual trajectory, obtain work qualifications in industry demand, and successfully adapt and develop during training.

The proposed model will also reallocate network resources to specific tasks aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of engineering training.

PRESENTATIONS 

Pavel Sorokin (HSE Institute of Education) 
Foresight of Human Agency: the Driving Force of Transformations in the Corporate Sector and a Tool for Managing Human Potential (PDF, 539 Кб)   

Jose Cordeiro (Millennium Project, Spain)
Space Travel and First Colonies in the Moon and Mars (PDF, 6.64 Мб)  

Khania Kadyrova (Kazan National Research Technical University)
Distribution Network is a Promising Form of Problem Solving Training (PDF, 917 Кб)