IAF first began conducting Foresight Seminars on Capital Hill in 1978.  The Seminars educate Congress, public policy makers and the public about the issues, trends and forces shaping important policy areas.  In health, for example, IAF has conducted many Foresight Seminars exploring how healthcare systems may evolve and how advancements in scientific innovation may affect health policy.  Sponsored by leading companies, the Seminars provide Congress and the public with futures-oriented, balanced, non-partisan programs to identify and explore the issues that government, industry and the market will face in the next 10 years and beyond.  Although funding may come from sponsors, IAF maintains full editorial control of seminar agendas and content.

Foresight illuminates opportunities and dangers that have not yet become policy concerns but that will be important in the future.  Foresight relates specific policy questions to the larger context of changes in health care, the economy and society.  It addresses the questions, "What is the larger vision of the future we want to create?"

 IAF’s goals for the Foresight Seminars are:

• To identify the significant issues, trends and forces that are shaping the nation's future;
• To provide foresight and futures research to aid public policy makers in their evaluation of issues and policy proposals;
• To examine how public policy makers can design more effective policies and strategies.
• Identify and bring to the attention of policy makers emerging issues that are likely to have long-term implications.

The Foresight Seminars provide attendees an opportunity to:

• Understand and learn about current and future trends;
• Meet and interact with a large network of leaders and policy stakeholders;
• Ask questions and engage experts in a focused, non-partisan discussion.