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 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.

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.

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."

Building on the success of last year's inaugural workshop in Berlin, co-hosted by Aspen Germany, we are thrilled to announce a scholarship opportunity for the second edition of "Global Changemakers: The Race to a Greener Future." This year, the event will be held in Warsaw, Poland, from December 12-15, 2023, in collaboration with Aspen Central Europe.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity for young leaders aged 25-35 with a keen interest in environmental sustainability and critical minerals. Apply now!

We are excited to announce we are taking nominations to attend CityLab, the premier global summit that gathers the world's leading urban experts, being held in Mexico City this October. This event is a unique opportunity to exchange bold ideas and evidence-based solutions to the most pressing challenges cities face today.

Welcome to Arotake-Makariri, our Winter Review, where we pause to reflect on the past six months and celebrate our Aspen NZ community. Many of you have participated in our seminars, online forums and courses, and have stayed engaged through The Lookout. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey - your support as donors and active participants is crucial in enabling the Aspen NZ programme to thrive.

A few highlights from the past six months:

The second forum in our International Dialogue Series, in collaboration with Ananta Aspen Centre in India, focused on 'Navigating the Digital Frontier.' With a mission to 'turbocharge' the relationship between India and New Zealand, the forum opened new communication channels through the Institute's international network to explore digital technology opportunities. 

“The Aspen Institute’s Global Changemakers event was an incredible experience. The opportunity to learn from so many different people each with their own fascinating stories and experiences was an absolute privilege. The combination of intellectual and social discussions was the perfect mix to make for a memorable experience that got the most out of everyone.” Peter Southey-Jensen, Aspen NZ Youth Alumni & Scholarship Recipient

The inaugural Evidence and Values Based Decision Making (EVBDM) course at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for Te Kahui Hononga / Northland Intersectoral Forum Regional Leadership Group provided a unique platform to explore and enrich decision-making skills in our community.

A message to the Aspen Institute community from CEO Dan Porterfield, in light of the recent Hamas attack in Israel.

In our August edition, we put In Focus the recent Aspen Security Forum, one of the world's premier forums focussed on current international affairs. Followed by Leadership In Action with a look at the remarkable perseverance of our partner Aspen Ukraine, plus, an In Depth look at the Institute's report on Roadmap for Wildfire Resilience: Solutions for a Paradigm Shift which explores the bold policy action required to change the trajectory of how we manage and prepare for wildfire impacts.

We are excited to announce the scholarship recipients or the first Aspen International Partner's young leaders workshop, in Berlin later this year.

We are excited to announce the first Aspen International Partner's young leaders workshop, and are delighted to offer up to three scholarships for Aspen NZ Alumni to attend, as well as an additional two scholarships to cover return airfares from NZ to Berlin for "Democracy Forward: Inspiring Change in Today's World" from 30 November - 3 December 2023 in Berlin, Germany. This workshop presents a unique opportunity for young leaders who have a keen interest in democracy and are aged approximately 25-30 years.

In our July edition, we put In Focus the recent Aspen Ideas Festival, and take a look at five key takeaways from this year's event. Followed by Leadership In Action with a review of our recent NZ-India Forum, which explored the numerous opportunities to develop our bilateral relationship further. Plus, an In Depth look at the Institute's latest report on Re-Engineering American Security: Cultivating Talent for Competitiveness

Welcome to Arotake-Makariri, the Winter Review, where we take a moment to reflect on our activities and engagements of the past six months. We are grateful for your participation in our online seminars, in-person forums, and for staying connected through The Lookout. A few highlights are…

Welcome to The Lookout, bringing you a global perspective on issues that matter. In our May edition, we put In Focus Why You Need to Think for Yourself, a thought-provoking essay on the role critical thinking plays in shaping our society. Followed by Leadership In Action with a timely and informative read on Blockchain, Crypto, and Household Financial Security, a new report from the Aspen Financial Security Programme. Plus, an In Depth look at the Hinrich Foundation's latest report on Geopolitics in Space, which investigates how Starlink and satellite internet are reshaping the future.

Welcome to the April edition of The Lookout, bringing you a global perspective on issues that matter. In this edition, we put In Focus AI, Social Media and Democratic Challenges, the topic of our most recent seminar, the eighth in the series Critical Thinking and Values Based Leadership. Followed by Leadership In Action with Beyond Borders, our new podcast and YouTube series, a curated selection of discussions on critical global issues. Plus, an In Depth look at the Institute's Science and Society's new report on Clinical Trial Diversity which investigates how clinical trials can be improved by including a broader spectrum of the population to provide greater outcomes.