The kickoff event took place November 6. In an effort to get the NIC 2020 project off to a fast start, we asked that presenters in the morning session brief the assembled group on their futures work, with particular emphasis on: explaining (briefly) the methodology they used; identifying the scenario(s) they had constructed; stating the new, key drivers at play in their scenarios and why they were important; and highlighting the forces we should be paying particular attention to as we continue our work. We requested that speakers limit presentations to 20-30 minutes, leave 20 minutes for questions and answers and that they submit a 10 page paper outlining the briefing.

The afternoon session was devoted to break-out group discussions. Each discussant was assigned to one of four groups that will explore the key drivers and trends and how they impact global developments out to the year 2020. Papers presented at the outset of each break-out session provided a point-of-departure for group discussions.

The National Intelligence Council routinely sponsors unclassified conferences with outside experts to sharpen the level of debate on critical issues. The views expressed in the following papers are those of individual participants. They are presented not as final reports of the NIC 2020 project but to stimulate discussion and debate. The papers are labeled discussion paper -- does not represent the views of the US Government -- and should not be cited in any other manner.

The National Intelligence Council routinely sponsors unclassified conferences with outside experts to sharpen the level of debate on critical issues. The views expressed in the following papers are those of individual participants. They are presented not as final reports of the NIC 2020 project but to stimulate discussion and debate. The papers are labeled discussion paper -- does not represent the views of the US Government -- and should not be cited in any other manner.

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