Overview of the seminar

On the morning of December 19, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) hosted a scientific seminar on “Applying Anticipatory Governance to Development Policymaking.” Led by the Faculty of Planning and Development, the seminar attracted a large number of scholars, managers, and experts from Vietnam and abroad, along with the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice President of the College of Economics and Public Management, delivers remarks

In his introductory remarks at the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice President of the College of Economics and Public Management, emphasized the increasingly important role of modern governance thinking amid rapid, complex, and unpredictable global changes. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, anticipatory governance is an effective tool that helps government agencies shift from reactive governance to proactive direction-setting, and from short-term thinking to a long-term vision in formulating and implementing development policies.

Prof. Mike Courtney, Founder/Principal Aperio Insights LLC, presents at the seminar

The seminar featured four in-depth presentations. Opening the program, Prof. Mike Courtney, Founder/Principal Aperio Insights LLC, presented “From Foresight to Policy in the Age of AI: Designing Innovative Approaches to Anticipatory Governance”, analyzing core theoretical foundations and explaining how artificial intelligence is opening up innovative approaches to anticipatory governance and policymaking.

Do Tien Thinh, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (Ministry of Finance), presents at the seminar

Offering a practical perspective from Vietnam, Do Tien Thinh, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (Ministry of Finance), presented “Innovation in Vietnam and the Potential for Applying Anticipatory Governance to the Development and Implementation of Innovation Mechanisms and Policies”. His presentation affirmed the considerable potential of integrating anticipatory governance into the formation and development of the national innovation ecosystem.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Quoc Dung, Faculty of Planning and Development, College of Economics and Public Management, NEU, presents at the seminar

The third presentation, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Quoc Dung of the Faculty of Planning and Development, College of Economics and Public Management, focused on “Applying Anticipatory Governance to Assess the Responsiveness of Vietnam’s Workforce” to trends in technological transformation, the digital economy, and the green economy, thereby helping guide the development of human resource policies with a long-term vision.

Dr. Phung Duc Tung, Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI), presents at the seminar

Dang Vinh Khoi, Mekong Development Research Institute (MDRI), presents at the seminar

Concluding the presentation session, Dr. Phung Duc Tung and Mr. Dang Vinh Khoi (Mekong Development Research Institute—MDRI) introduced “From Foresight to Action: Anticipatory Governance for Education Resilience”, emphasizing the “from foresight to action” approach as an important way to strengthen the education system’s resilience and adaptability to future changes.

The seminar attracted a large number of scholars, managers, and experts from Vietnam and abroad, along with the University’s lecturers and students

A lively open discussion brought together representatives of ministries, sectors, businesses, and educational institutions to address a central question: What breakthrough is needed to integrate anticipatory governance into development policymaking in Vietnam?

During the discussion, participants explored various options for implementing anticipatory governance in practice, including sector-specific approaches, local approaches, and pilot projects.

A representative of the National Innovation Center emphasized that anticipatory governance is not intended to replace traditional policymaking methods but serves as an important complement, helping policymakers identify weak signals early, proactively seize opportunities, and minimize risks amid considerable uncertainty. The discussion also addressed the possibility of making anticipatory governance a tool for innovation within ministries, sectors, and localities through technical assistance programs and collaborative projects.

From a business perspective, participants from the private sector affirmed the potential for broad application of anticipatory governance in business development planning, particularly in developing long-term strategies, making investment decisions, and managing risks amid rapid technological and market changes.

Representatives of educational and research institutions also raised several noteworthy issues concerning policy lags, resource trade-offs in future policymaking, and the requirements for training a workforce with foresight capabilities. Experts analyzed and discussed these issues in depth, while also identifying new approaches to developing advisory products and technical assistance on anticipatory governance for government agencies.

The seminar also acknowledged the Faculty of Planning and Development’s initial steps in researching and applying anticipatory governance, as well as the potential to establish collaborative projects among the University, research institutes, businesses, and government agencies to advance this approach in Vietnam.

Seminar participants pose for a commemorative group photo

The seminar concluded in an open and thought-provoking academic atmosphere. The event not only helped clarify the theoretical foundations and practical value of anticipatory governance but also opened up numerous avenues for research, collaboration, and practical application in development policymaking in Vietnam in the coming period.

Additional photos from the seminar:

Article and photos: Faculty of Planning and Development and Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.