History of The Millennium Project

The Millennium Project was founded in 1996 following a three-year feasibility study conducted in collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU), the Smithsonian Institution, The Futures Group International, and the American Council for the UNU. Today, it operates as an independent, non-profit, global participatory futures research think tank. It brings together over 4,500 futurists, scholars, business planners, and policymakers from around the world, representing international organizations, governments, corporations, NGOs, and universities.

The project’s mission is to connect individuals and institutions globally to collaborate on research addressing critical global challenges. This work is distilled into influential publications, including its State of the Future reports, the Futures Research Methodology, and 65 futures research studies.

Origins and Feasibility Study

The Millennium Project was initiated in 1992 by the Smithsonian Institution, The Futures Group International, and UNU. It was developed through a three-year feasibility study funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNESCO, engaging over 200 futurists and scholars from approximately 50 countries.

Phase I: Initial Design (1992–1993)

Funded by the U.S. EPA, Phase I focused on identifying and connecting futurists and scholars worldwide. This phase laid the groundwork for the project by designing its framework and conducting an initial test on population and environmental issues.

Phase II: African Futures Research (1993–1994)

During this phase, funded by UNDP/African Future, the project produced reports on futures research methodology and long-range issues critical to Africa’s development.

Phase III: Final Feasibility Study (1994–1995)

The final phase, conducted under the auspices of UNU’s World Institute of Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER) in Helsinki and funded by UNESCO, concluded with the final feasibility study report, paving the way for the official establishment of The Millennium Project in 1996.

References for the feasibility study:

  • Glenn, Jerome Clayton, Gordon, Theodore Jay (1995): The Millennium Project Feasibility Study. UNU World Institute of Development Economics Research, Helsinki.
  • Glenn, Jerome Clayton, Gordon, Theodore Jay (1996). Update on the… Millennium Project. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 52. Pp. 269-272 (1996).
  • Gordon, Theodore Jay, Glenn, Jerome Clayton (1994): An introduction to The Millennium Project. Technological Forecasting and social change(47). Pp. 147-179.

Ongoing Contributions and Impact

Since its inception, The Millennium Project has maintained its role as an ongoing, geographically and institutionally distributed think tank, rather than a one-time study. Its work is guided by its 72 Nodes worldwide, which help select participants and topics for research. Over 4,500 contributors from more than 75 countries have provided input on key global challenges.

The project has earned significant recognition for its innovative approach and high-quality outputs:

  • University of Pennsylvania’s Go-To Think Tank Index: Ranked among the top think tanks for introducing new ideas and paradigms.
  • Computerworld Honors Laureate: Recognized for contributions to collective intelligence systems.
  • UN Habitat: Listed among the 100 Best Practices globally.
  • U.S. Office of Energy: Named one of the 7 best foresight organizations in the world.

Additionally, Future Survey recognized eleven of the thirteen annual State of the Future reports as among the year’s best books on the future. The journal Technological Forecasting & Social Change has dedicated several entire issues to the annual State of the Future reports.

Also check out the history the 15 Global Challenges.