PROGRAMS Foresight upholds that Design--be it compelling graphics or socially transforming policy--is fundamental to the pursuit of greater social, economic and environmental sustainability. However, Design does not exist in a vacuum, but is integral to the areas of society in which it is employed. Foresight's organizational strategy calls for pursuing sustainability issues in three distinct, yet related sectors: general public, business, and design. Fostering sustainability also requires the creation of community, education, and implementation. All of Foresight's initiatives strive to embody at least two of these three primary activities. SUSTAINOVATE www.sustainovate.org The debate is over: more sustainable businesses have to and will be our future. In order to accelerate this (r)evolution, the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance, along with the West Side Entrepreneurship Center, are hosting a dynamic, two-day gathering. By doing business in a different way, sustainability-minded companies are often inherently innovative. SUSTAINOVATE will create a more multifaceted and interactive experience than is common at most business conferences. Encounter thought leaders, new idea, strategies, and learn from the successes and challenges of colleagues as we catalyze the evolution toward more sustainable products, services and practices. Attendees will be encouraged to develop and refine their own sustainability-related business agendas, as well as contribute toward a larger, collective vision. Urban Sustainable Design Studio www.foresightstudio.org Inspired by the renowned Rural Studio program at Auburn University, this initiative fosters a new type of leader, one who integrates the systems thinking, design skills, and entrepreneurial abilities necessary to initiate and direct visionary sustainability initiatives. Open to participants college-age or older serious about gaining experience in how to research, devise and implement more sustainable solutions, this experiential learning opportunity includes students from a variety of backgrounds. A month-long program was held annually in January from 2002 to 2006. In the summer of 2006, an eight-week summer session was launched which will now succeed the shorter winter term. Foresight is working to develop semester-long, fall and spring terms in association with an accredited university. Eco Launch High School Program www.foresightdesign.org/ecolaunch Eco Launch is an intensive three-week summer program that will explore emerging careers and disciplines related to sustainability. Through hands on activities, field trips, readings, and group projects, students will explore how sustainability is shaping our city and world. Students will gain foundational knowledge about the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability and begin to understand how these areas overlap and inform everything from businesses, to technology, to government initiatives, to design. Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance www.sustainablechicago.biz The Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance is a network of enterprises dedicated to realizing the benefits of incorporating sustainability principles into their products, services, and practices. It is dedicated to providing the necessary resources, connections, and support for these companies to thrive thereby creating a healthier physical environment, more robust and stable economy, and fair and equitable city. Chicago Green Drinks (Business Edition) www.chicagogreendrinks.org A bimonthly networking and educational event for people with an interest in sustainability issues, the gathering regularly attracts a diverse audience of 75-140 people and has become the de facto hub of "Green Chicago." Moderated panel discussions on pertinent topics provide information and spur further conversation. Green Drinks-Business Edition, held toward the beginning of each month, targets topics and people related to sustainable business in Chicago, while "regular" Green Drinks, held later, addresses more general sustainability issues. Foresight Consulting and Design Studio www.foresightstudio.net Dedicated to creating more socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable products, services, and systems, this multi-disciplinary studio undertakes a range of challenges. These include work for businesses, government agencies, projects for members of society most in need of good design and least able to afford it, and internally-generated initiatives. The scope of work includes graphic, product and universal design; policy research and market assessments; and unique interdisciplinary assignments. Careers in Sustainability Workshops www.foresightdesign.org/careers Developed by popular demand, and led by some of Chicago's leading sustainability professionals, Foresight's Sustainable Careers Workshop is intended to provide an overview of the information needed to enter this dynamic and burgeoning field. Chicago Green Business Directory www.sustainablechicago.biz The most comprehensive screened list of its kind in Chicago, Foresight's Green Business directory is easily searchable by category or business name and includes members of the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance as well as many others. Chicago Sustainability Action Guide www.believechicago.org/guide Want to know how you can shop, live and work with environmental and social justice concerns in mind? This searchable, annotated guide, part of the BelieveChicago.org website, includes over 130 resources for Chicago-area residents, including non-profit organizations, directories, informative websites, etc. Resource Section www.foresightdesign.org/resources A collection of information resources to supplement the Chicago Sustainability Action Guide. Internships www.foresightdesign.org/internships An on-going program to mutually benefit students interested in sustainability and design and the Foresight Design Initiative through hands-on research, program development and educational opportunities.   IN ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT Foresight's Green City Studio A two-week long summer program for high school juniors and seniors, Foresight's Green City Studio provides students interested in sustainability issues an intensive introduction to how these influences are shaping Chicago. It will be launched in the summer of 2007. Field trips around the city, meetings with local business, government and nonprofit leaders, relevant readings, regular discussions, and a group project form the curriculum. Students will gain an understanding of how sustainability issues are impacting the city, as well as what type of skills and knowledge are necessary to pursue a sustainability-related career. Foresight International Sustainable Design Working Conference (in association with the o2 Global Network) Tentatively scheduled for April 2008 in Chicago, this working conference is modeled after the o2 Challenge held in Rotterdam in 1998. It will bring together designers and related others interested in sustainable design to learn from invited speakers, one another, local tours, a participating "virtual community," and from taking part in issue-focused working groups. Highlights from the conference and the products of the working groups will be made available via the Web. They will also be compiled into a dynamic and interactive presentation that will serve as the basis for "Foresight Weekends." These gatherings will be hosted at other cities and conferences to further propagate the outcomes of the conference and to provide a wider audience with the opportunity to learn about and engage the principles of sustainable design. Chicago Green Drinks--Design Nights www.chicagogreendrinks.org An extension of Chicago Green Drinks, this bimonthly series provides an opportunity for sustainability-minded designers from different disciplines to socialize, network and learn about and possibliy engaged in relevant issues and projects. To be launched in 2008.   LONG -TERM DEVELOPMENT Foresight Sustainability Tours While Foresight is locally focused, gaining global perspective is essential to establishing an understanding of issues and best practices in sustainability. This service would facilitate small group trips to foreign locations (e.g. Northern Europe, India, Japan/Asia) with the goal of networking, engaging new ideas and broadening perspectives. (International) Sustainable Designers Exchange A program to foster the international exchange and implementation of sustainability—related ideas and strategies. Small teams of designers and other interested parties will participate by hosting one another for meaningful periods of time. Chicago Sustainable Office Center www.foresightdesign.org/center/ Inspired by the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center in Portland (OR), among other such centers, the Center will provide office space to non-profits, businesses, and designers working in sustainability related fields. It could also include green furnishings showrooms, seminar facilities, retail space, and a gallery/theater. Foresight House www.foresighthouse.org As a center for sustainable urban living and community development, Foresight House fulfills three purposes -- to publicly demonstrate a range of affordable, high-efficiency, eco-friendly building features and products; to provide low-cost housing and an educational focus for participants of Foresight’s Urban Sustainable Design Studio; and to partner with community organizations and individuals to generate innovative models for sustainable community development. Project partners include the City of Chicago Departments of Housing and Environment and the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.