Welcome to The Lookout. This month, we look at what it takes to keep our footing in a world of shifting power, overlooked essential workers, and the power of the 'commons' to guide us through rough waters.

We are excited to announce the Aspen NZ youth alumni scholarship recipient for the 2025 Global Changemakers Workshop, being held in Bogotá, Colombia this October.

Walter Isaacson, former President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, shares why our mission to find ‘common ground’ is as relevant today as it was when the Institute was founded post-WWII, in his remarks at the 75th Anniversary Gala.

Welcome to Arotake-Makariri, our Winter Review - a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the people and partnerships that drive Aspen Institute New Zealand. Your support as active participants and donors makes our work possible.

As the Aspen Institute marks its 75th anniversary this month, we’re reminded that its founding purpose - to unite diverse voices in pursuit of a freer, fairer society - remains just as relevant today. While global challenges grow more complex, so too does the need for leadership grounded in clarity, courage, and connection. More….

“The difficulty of our time is a difficulty of the human spirit.” As global instability echoes the conditions that sparked the Institute’s founding, our CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp shares reflections from Aspen, Colorado, where she joined the International Partners to mark the Institute’s 75th anniversary. In a moment shaped by both turbulence and hope, she explores why the founding vision remains urgent today, what it means to lead with principle, and how a global network can help us respond to the challenges ahead.

The Aspen International Partners team recently hosted the inaugural SparkLab in Paris - a workshop bringing together communications and programme staff from across the global Aspen network. Our Marketing Manager, Pip Souness, was proud to attend and represent Aspen NZ. Hosted by Aspen Institute France, the three-day gathering offered a unique opportunity to share strategies, strengthen relationships, and explore how deeper collaboration can expand our collective impact. Read Pip’s reflection on the experience and what it means for our work here, in Aotearoa.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month, we take a closer look at the forces reshaping leadership, strategy, and decision-making - from AI’s impact on the workplace to shifting security dynamics in our region.

In the third installment of the Sister City Challenges series, leaders from Aspen and Queenstown came together to tackle two of the toughest infrastructure issues facing these mountain resort towns: energy and transport. Moderated by Christine Maiden Sharp, the conversation revealed just how tightly these systems are now linked - and how innovative thinking, community engagement, and international knowledge exchange can deliver resilient, affordable solutions. While local in detail, the lessons shared apply to any community navigating growth, climate pressure, and the need to build with people at the centre. 

This month, we examine New Zealand’s shifting defence posture, new survey findings on WTO reform, and the implications of China’s expanding global influence. On the local front, we explore housing challenges in Queenstown and Aspen - and share upcoming events, including a new flagship partnership with the University of Otago - the inaugural Aspen Otago Security Forum, a major gathering on regional security set to launch later this year.

In the second session of the Sister Cities Challenges series, moderated by Aspen NZ CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp, Queenstown and Aspen came together to unpack one of the most complex issues facing their fast-growing resort towns: housing & urban planning. With population growth and tourism economies placing pressure on both supply and infrastructure, and affordability slipping out of reach for many residents, the forum explored what’s working - and what still isn’t - in two of the world’s most sought-after mountain communities. 

What makes a strong democracy? This month, we explored the foundations that keep democracy thriving - beyond just voting - and why our ongoing participation, open dialogue, and accountability are crucial for its survival.

This month, we examine the ripple effects of AI, India’s evolving strategic priorities, and how major global events are being reshaped by politics, technology, and the growing desire for narrative control. Plus, we highlight upcoming events to add to your calendar.

In this edition, In Focus examines three key takeaways from Empowering Economies, showcasing new opportunities for New Zealand businesses in India, and why a proactive, private-sector-led approach is essential.

Leadership in Action features international business consultant Nikolaus Lang, who shares his insights on global trends and five essential leadership strategies for navigating geopolitical shifts. In Depth unpacks McKinsey's latest research on AI and how organisations can unlock it's full potential to enhance creativity, efficiency, and productivity in the workplace.

New Zealand and India share a long-standing relationship, with significant opportunities to increase trade across sectors . The recent forum, Empowering Economies: A New Era of NZ-India Business Relations, bought experts from both nations together to explore how these opportunities can be leveraged for mutual growth. Hosted by the High Commission of India to New Zealand in Wellington, the discussion built on the NZ - India forums held by the Aspen Institute New Zealand, which focussed on how New Zealand can apply their skills and expertise to assist India, while also providing opportunities to strengthen and build long-term relationships between the two nations. 

Welcome to the Summer Review - Arotake-Raumati, where we reflect on our activities from the past six months. Thank you to all of our supporters who have engaged with our seminars, workshops and courses, and stayed connected with us through The Lookout. A few highlights are…

At the recent Global Changemakers workshop: The Race to a Greener Future, Aspen NZ alumna, Shreya Singaraju spent three and half days with young leaders from the Aspen International Partners network to address the ethical, geopolitical, and economic complexities of environmental sustainability and the procurement of critical minerals and rare earth metals. Reflecting on her time in Warsaw, Shreya shared three takeaways that have reshaped her outlook on global and local challenges.

The first session of the Sister Cities Challenges series, Aspen and Queenstown came together to address a shared and pressing issue: the impact of climate change on winter sports and mountain communities. This virtual forum brought together leaders from the winter sports business community, climate scientists, and sustainability advocates to discuss how these two iconic destinations are responding to the challenges of a warming climate.

Scholarship recipient and Marketing Manager of Aspen NZ, Pip Souness, reflects on her recent visit to Washington D.C. for the International Partners Collaboration, exploring the potential of virtual youth exchange to inspire, connect and empower future generations.

"Fostering global connections through programmes like the Stevens Initiative isn’t just about bridging cultures; it’s about equipping the next generation with the tools to lead in a world that demands collaboration across divides. This experience reinforced for me that the solutions to our biggest challenges lie in empowering young people to think critically, connect meaningfully, and act collaboratively on a global stage."