Technology   foresight is regarded as the most upstream element of the technology development process. It provides inputs for the formulation of technology policies and strategies that guide the development of the technological infrastructure. In addition, technology foresight provides support to innovation, and incentives and assistance to enterprises in the domain of technology management and technology transfer, leading to enhanced competitiveness and growth.
In response to requests by member countries, UNIDO is implementing global and regional initiative on technology foresight. The aim is to build the capability of using foresight as a practical tool in designing policies and strategies that exploit emerging and critical technologies for the benefit of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Currently, UNIDO is carrying out regional initiatives in Asia, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Newly Independent States (NIS).
The technology foresight initiative also provides suitable methodologies to promote sustainable and innovative development, fostering economic, environmental and social benefits at national and regional levels. Its outcomes are policies and programmes that deal with innovation, industrial growth and competitiveness.
The UNIDO 2008/9 Training Programme on Technology Foresight* is composed by 5 courses, which will take place as follows:

• Module 1: Technology Foresight for Organizers, to be held in Gebze (Turkey) on 3-7 November 2008;
• Module 2: Technology Foresight for Practitioners: A Specialized Course on Roadmapping, to be held in Prague (Czech Republic) on 17-21 November 2008;
• Module 3: Technology Foresight for Decision-Makers, to be held in Seville (Spain) on 14-15 October 2008 and  Budapest (Hungary) on 2-3 December 2008;
• Module 4: Technology Foresight for Corporations, to be held in Bratislava (Slovak Republic) on 27-30 October 2009;and
• Module 5: Training of Trainers on Technology Foresight, to be held in the course of 2009 (tentatively).

The training programme pursues efforts to develop national and regional capabilities to organize and conduct technology foresight programmes for countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Newly Independent States (NIS).
The courses are offered to professionals, officials and managers as well as representatives of enterprises responsible for applying foresight as an instrument for strategic decision-making in technology development, innovation and industrial policy.
During the courses, leading international experts, deeply involved in foresight exercises world-wide, will deliver lectures and introduce participants to:

• principal foresight experiences and good practices;
• case studies as a reference and inspiration for organizing foresight exercises;
• guided hands-on exercises in organizing foresight programmes; and
• networking of experts and institutions in the region for TF initiatives.

Due to limited seats available, applications are welcome at earliest convenience.
The courses are organized in cooperation with the governments of Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovak Republic and Turkey.