MGIMO Professor Andrei Bezrukov: "Strategic planning is an essential condition for moving towards the future"
New approaches to forecasting and technologies for developing proactive strategies amid growing geoeconomic turbulence were presented at the open lecture "Strategic Forecasting: From Signals to Decisions", held as part of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future". The event, organised in partnership with the Russian Science Foundation, was delivered by Andrei Bezrukov, a leading expert in forecasting and strategic planning and Professor at the Department of Applied Analysis of International Issues at MGIMO University.
During the lecture, Andrei Bezrukov explored a wide range of topics — from Freemasonry and the geopolitical situation of the early 20th century to the balance of power in today’s world and the challenges facing Russia in the future. He emphasised how strategic forecasting helps not only to predict the future but also to turn signals and trends into practical management decisions.
"In today’s rapidly changing world full of unexpected challenges, the key lies not so much in the plan itself as in the process of strategic planning and forecasting. It helps us prepare for change, view the world from a new perspective, and build adaptive development strategies. As General Eisenhower once said, ‘Plans are nothing; planning is everything.’ Strategic dialogue and a shared vision ensure effective decision-making and joint efforts toward common goals," said Andrei Bezrukov.
He also drew special attention to methods of analysing events, as well as to the use of artificial intelligence and digital models that make it possible to identify key signals faster and test different development scenarios to find optimal solutions. The lecture also covered the concept of a collective choice of the future, where experts jointly define realistic and desirable goals.
"For successful development, strategic goal-setting at a high level is essential — a clear understanding of the aims pursued by an organisation or a state. The historical experience of leading world powers shows that clearly defined goals, supported by effective resource management and personnel training, form the foundation for technological breakthroughs and sustainable growth. In the modern world, strategic planning is not a luxury but an essential condition for moving towards the future, despite rapidly changing circumstances," emphasised Andrei Bezrukov.
Using real-world international examples, the lecture demonstrated how strategic forecasting can be applied to risk reduction. The approach itself was described as a tool not only for analysis but also for actively shaping the future.
The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is being held on 7 – 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, bringing together participants from more than 85 countries and all regions of the Russian Federation. It features over 260 Russian and international experts from China, the USA, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the auspices of the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, and the Ministry of Culture of Russia. The analytical partner is the VCIOM Analytical Centre, and the literary partner is the Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.
