Shell launches Imagine the Future 2021, engaging youth in Powering Progress to sustainable energy

Mr. Panun Prachuabmoh, Country Chairman, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited said that Imagine the Future (ITF) encourages young people to take an active role in the transition to clean and sustainable energy and work towards a better future. Shell Thailand invites competing teams to present realistic scenarios envisioning the economic, social, and environmental challenges we will face in the next 30 years. During its four years, ITF has successfully helped to position Shell Thailand as a 'Trusted Partner for Better Life' among the rising generations.

"Shell Thailand is integrating its strategy, portfolio, environmental and social aims under the strategic goal of Empowering Progress towards clean energy for a better life in 2050, which is no longer far off. While there is a need for more energy, everyone has a role in reducing environmental impacts and caring for society. For people to live, work and play sustainably on the planet, it is essential that people from all sectors and all generations collaborate and imagine possible alternatives for a better future, following Shell's purpose to be a Trusted Partner for Better Life. Shell believes in the power of the next generation," Mr. Panun added.

This year's ITF theme is "More and Cleaner Energy in the Asia Pacific and Middle East Cities in 2050: How will residents live, work, and play?" Despite limitations around the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition proceeded as a virtual hybrid was well received, with 62 teams comprising more than 400 students from 21 universities across Thailand. Furthermore, there were no restrictions on age, gender, or country of residence, opening participation to international and overseas students from institutions such as Oxford University and Durham University in England, and Carnegie Mellon University in the United States. 

Ms. Thitipa Laxanaphisuth, Country Manager – External Relations, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited, said that Shell recruited and interviewed those qualifying teams and turned the 6 top teams into the semi-final round: Anonymous Dinosaurs, Cascara Consulting, Global Minds, Grand Mason, Homo Imaginalis, and Two Man Down. Members from each of these teams are all eligible to join the Bootcamp, a skills-building program that brings in both local and international experts to enable each team to use the Shell Scenarios toolkit to build simulations of cities in the future they envision. Each team will present their vision of the future to a panel in the final round. At the national level, the winner will receive a prize of 50,000 baht and represent Thailand in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions, where they will compete for a prize of 4,000 SGD.

"The highlight of this year's competition is that Shell has invited speakers and experts in the country and overseas to share new knowledge and valuable perspectives with our young participants. And if the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we will be able to send Thailand's winning team to the Asia Pacific and Middle East regional competition in Singapore this September in person, instead of the virtual competition like the last year. Follow our community page https://www.facebook.com/imaginethefuturecompetition/ for the competition and futurist scenarios. It will be a remarkable opportunity for the youth to create a learning network and exchange ideas," Ms. Thitipa said.

At this year's ITF, 12 selected Shell Thailand staff will also participate as volunteers, closely advising participants. Moreover, the Onwards with Thai Foundation, formed by Shell employees under Shell Thailand, will run a program to encourage ITF teams to use and build their potential to benefit society by proposing projects to positively impact education and the elderly.

Mr. Peeranut Sangvarachet, Channel Optimiser, Trading and Supply, The Shell Company of Thailand Limited, volunteered in ITF and said, "the key challenge for this year is that the COVID-19 outbreak will accelerate global change in the future. It is a challenge that all sectors must work together to handle." 

"Being a volunteer for the ITF project opens an opportunity for me to share my experience and give young people advice to create useful work, while also giving me a chance to learn and gain new and more varied ideas. It is also a guideline for working and preparing for the change in the world as many people from many generations take part in designing the world we would like to see in the future," Mr. Peeranut added. 

More information, please visit https://www.shell.co.th/en_th/energy-and-innovation/imagine-the-future-competition.html