About the Map

Mapping the Future was developed in 2007 by the Global Strategy Institute at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The CSIS Global Strategy Institute is dedicated to promoting long-range thinking about the big global issues that loom before us. To this end, we offer a "map of the future" for the years 2008 through 2012. No matter the outcome of the U.S. presidential elections in November, public and private sector leaders across the country (and the globe) will have to contend with certain inevitable events, unstoppable trends, and predictable developments over the next four to five years. Our goal is to paint a picture of what the landscape will look like when the new president takes office and to identify the major signposts we can anticipate. We have grouped these coming events into seven categories: science and technology; politics; major conferences; forecasts; construction; sporting and culture; and important dates.

Today's leaders function in an environment marked by rapid change, ever higher levels of complexity, and ever shorter decision timeframes. This map is the CSIS Global Strategy Institute's modest attempt to help us all elevate our thinking beyond today's headlines and to anticipate the competing obstacles and opportunities we can expect to navigate in the future. As we retreat to higher ground, our hope is to gain clarity and a sense of direction for the years ahead.