Publication

Policy and investment decisions can have implications that extend beyond their initial objective. Local decisions that aim to promote trajectories towards desirable futures at the local scale can alter factors that are determined at higher regional scales. Alterations of regional factors can create feedbacks influencing the characteristics of initial local decision making situations and result in unforeseen and undesirable outcomes. In addition to cross-scale dynamics, multi-level governance aspects have to be considered. The ability to realise desirable local futures diminishes if decision making processes are not coordinated with other influential governance levels. Providing effective support across multiple levels of decision making requires (a) identification and articulation of desired outcomes at the relevant levels of decision making, (b) improved understanding of complex interactions that link to potentially transforming decisions, and (c) contrasting desired outcomes with likely, potentially mal-adaptive outcomes. Research implemented through multiple participatory modalities can facilitate relevant system learning among decision makers and decision influencers. This paper conceptualises such a learning process for the specific context of the Mekong region, where decisions deliberated either at national or state levels have the potential to transform the wider Mekong region. The participatory process described aligns the development of holistic scenarios articulating future visions at local and regional scales and agent-based simulation.