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Résumé Cet article revient sur le grand exercice international de prospective mené à partir du milieu des années 1970 sous l'égide de l'OCDE. Après avoir rappelé le contexte et les caractéristiques de l'exercice, il présente les principaux scénarios globaux et les recommandations issues des réflexions. À sa sortie, en 1979, le rapport a été salué pour la qualité de sa démarche mais il a suscité une certaine méfiance politique. Trente ans plus tard, une relecture critique montre que si certaines évolutions ont été correctement perçues, d'autres hypothèses ont été au contraire infirmées.

PurposeThis paper seeks to present the key actors in Germany in the field of public forecasting and futures studies.Design/methodology/approachTaking into account the highly decentralized nature of German institutions, and the reforms carried out since the reunification, it analyses the contributions of the main economic institutes and foundations of the country. It gives a detailed account of their methods, means, topics of research, and impact on public debate, together with up‐to‐date links to the main web sites.FindingsThe dominant approach tends to be economic forecasting, carried out by major institutes that rely on academic logic. Societal futures studies are not so well served and are less recognized.Originality/valueProvides an insight into the state of futures research in Germany and its characteristics.

PurposeThe paper aims to present an analysis of today's key themes in the field of public futures studies.Design/methodology/approachCompares publicly available research results on futures activities in countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Quebec, Sweden, the UK.FindingsThe paper shows that there are striking similarities between countries in terms of themes and topics for public futures study and also that the themes are relatively stable over time. However, specific topics are determined by the challenges of the day: the themes are abiding, the subjects are changing.Originality/valueThe paper offers an interesting approach of the state's changing roles and priorities across the world. To help readers go further, links to web sites of the most relevant futures studies institutions are provided.