Dr. Clement Bezold is founder and chairman of the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF). Dr. Bezold established IAF in 1977 and, in 1982, he started IAF’s for-profit subsidiary, Alternative Futures Associates, to assist corporations in their strategic planning using futures methods. Dr. Bezold has published numerous books and reports on the future of government, the courts and healthcare. He is a consulting editor of the Journal of Futures Studies and is on the editorial and advisory boards of Technology Forecasting and Social Change, Foresight, and World Future Review.

The Octagon

The Octagon at Life University was created to foster dialogue and exchange on important social, political and conceptual issues based on Life University’s Eight Core Proficiencies. The Octagon creates an environment where questions and issues from every avenue of life can be embraced, discussed, debated and acted upon. As with most things in life it is not constrained by a lack of desire or need but only by limited human and financial resources. It is the intention of the University’s president, Dr. Guy Riekeman, for the Octagon to tackle important and controversial matters that will have long range impact and the potential for application in other fields. The Octagon does not seek to be reckless in its work but it does seek to be fearless in its charge, prepared to confront matters that frustrate society in a meaningful way. The Octagon can best be described as a think tank to promote world changing discussion related to healthcare and the human condition.