Like zeitgeist or weltschmerz, Zukunftszeuge is a German word that's ready to be taken directly into English. Literally it means witness of the future, and in this series of interviews, we talk to people who are so deeply engaged in creating the future that they are witnessing it today. What hopes and expectations do society's leading figures have about the future? Ask a Zukunftszeuge.

				Zukunftszeugen VII - Ricardo Petrella President of the Lisbon Group and Advisor to the European Commission, Brussels/Lisbon Interview by Christina Teuthorn September 13th, 2000 "We ought to move from speech to action," demanded Ricardo Petrella, when he shared with us his reflections on the future. While "we are celebrating the global village, the most important problem is that billions of people have no right to life." But "our leaders are still more and more dominated by the competitiveness ideologies." The situation will only change when citizens educate their leaders. You can choose to listen to the interview (Real Audio format) or to read the transcription. Click here for the installation guide. 1. Ricardo Petrella, "Zukunftszeuge" Which are the global era's major challenges that require political action? What kind of action is necessary? Listen to the interview (3:52 min) | Read the interview 2. Limits of Globalization: The Need for a "World Social Contract" Five years after the publication of his book, "The Limits to Competition", Petrella finds his arguments even more valid. Only a World Social Contract would be a remedy to the current ideology of competitiveness. But how could this contract be achieved? Listen to the interview (5:42 min) | Read the interview 3. The City of the 21st Century For Petrella, the time has come to redefine the cities: What is the city? What is a community? How can people participate? Listen to the interview (1:36 min) | Read the interview 4. Building a Better Future How strong is the influence of groups as the Lisbon Group in order to realize a future that is different from the present? What does Petrella's vision of another future look like? Listen to the interview (2:03 min) | Read the interview TOP
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