A Global Student Congress

When?

During the week of November 10–14, 2025

Where?

Virtual & Interactive (with a mix of live sessions + team-based asynchronous collaboration)

who?

Open to students at all levels and from all disciplines. Global, interdisciplinary, and imaginative thinkers encouraged to apply!

what is it?

A free, international, virtual congress exploring bold and regenerative futures for our cities, communities, and planet. Students from around the world will collaborate in creative teams to imagine far-future scenarios and co-create innovative visions for Sustainable Futures.

why does it matter?

As our world faces compounding social, environmental, and economic crises, we need new ways of thinking. Take Back the Future invites students to engage in collective imagination, build global connections, and contribute their voices to conversations about what comes next.

Questions?

Program Overview:

Aim for the futures we want not the futures we fear…

OVERALL PROCESS: 

  • Choose a topic to work on 

  • Join a team (optional) 

  • Develop vision and road map for a preferred future (“doable” and desirable) related to the chosen topic 

  • Illustrate, describe, or show your vision and roadmap in a way that makes that future real to others 

 

GOAL: Convince other people that your preferred future is worth working towards, and show them how we might take steps to get there!

A timeline infographic showing a five-day plan for a project, with each day featuring a different theme and date. Day 1: Foundation on November 10, with a rocket icon. Day 2: Explore & Imagine on November 11, with a lightbulb icon. Day 3: Build & Strategize on November 12, with a gear icon. Day 4: Finalize on November 13, with a checklist icon. Day 5: Showcase on November 14, with a laptop and diamond icon.
read Full Agenda

  • Be part of a global community of future-builders

  • A chance to imagine big, lead change, and take back the future

  • Connect with peers, mentors, and thought leaders worldwide

  • Selected contributions may be recognized, featured, or published

  • Opportunities for future microcredential or recognition pathways

Why participate?

Speakers:

SPEAKER BIOS
  • A woman with medium-length wavy hair wearing a black top and blazer, standing against a blue background.

    Jasmine Palardy

    Founder, The Good Future Collective & Director, WRLDCTY

  • Headshot of a smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a blue blazer.

    Nicole Newton, M.Sc, MBA

    Manager, Natural Environment & Adaptation, The City of Calgary

  • A smiling man in a business suit and tie standing in front of a plain white wall.

    Tony Andenoro, Ph.D.

    Director of Community Engagement & Programming, Florida Atlantic University

  • A professional woman with short gray hair, glasses, and a smile, wearing a gray blazer and blue shirt, against a plain gray background.

    Teri Balser, Ph.D.

    Professor and Former Provost, University of Calgary