FRANKFURT. Steering the right course for regional labour markets requires reliable forecasts. Yet in times of multiple crises and unpredictable political decisions, traditional methods are reaching their limits: events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and structural change in key industries have all reduced forecasting accuracy. Simply projecting past developments into the future is no longer sufficient given the unprecedented speed of change. An alternative lies in so-called foresight methods.

Rather than providing statistical data, foresight methods systematically gather expert knowledge to explore how future developments might unfold, often by sketching out different scenarios. Worldwide, scholars and policy advisors are increasingly turning to this approach. In many European countries and regions, however, foresight is still largely uncharted territory, especially in policy consulting. The conference of the European Network on Regional Labour Market Monitoring, held from September 17 to 19, will explore this topic in a series of lectures and discussions.

Founded 20 years ago by Goethe University’s Institute for Economics, Labour and Culture (IWAK), the European Network on Regional Labour Market Monitoring now counts more than 400 members from over 30 countries. Its mission: to improve the data and information base for labour market-related decision-making in regions across the globe. At its annual meetings, members exchange insights on the development of regional labour markets as well as on theories, concepts and methods of labour market monitoring.

“We expect this conference to provide valuable impulses for labour market policy in Hesse,” says Heike Hofmann, Hessian Minister for Labour, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs, who has taken on patronage of the event and will also actively participate in it. For 20 years, the Network has proven the benefits of thinking beyond borders. While challenges may often be similar across regions, solutions differ. “This can provide a strong stimulus for new ideas for one’s own region,” notes Christa Larsen, Head of IWAK and Coordinator of the Network, adding that within Germany, Hesse is already ahead of many other federal states in this respect. But there are also international models to learn from: regions in Spain, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Austria are well advanced in fostering close cooperation between research and policy in order to promote evidence-based policymaking.

Other international organizations also benefit from the Network, and it is not by coincidence that Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Frankfurt is a co-organizer. A large delegation from the labour ministries of the ten ASEAN states will likewise attend, and the Network also collaborates closely with the OECD’s Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) program, another event co-organizer.

The European Network on Regional Labour Market Monitoring (EN RLMM) will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a gala evening on September 18, bringing together leaders from business, labour and politics in Hesse. The keynote will be delivered by Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the Management Board of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Looking ahead to the conference, Goethe University Vice President Prof. Dr. Bernhard Brüne says: “Goethe University is ideally suited as a venue for international exchange and cooperation, and I am delighted that this important topic of foresight is being strategically advanced here.”