Stand With Ukraine.

In its work around the world, the Aspen Institute strives to promote a free, just, and equitable society. The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia threatens that vision and the values we hold dear.

The relationship between the United States and its European allies has been stressed over the last several years. The NextGen Network, launched by the Institute’s international Partners in collaboration with Microsoft, says that we need to look to a new crop of leaders to address challenges such as climate change and threats to democracy. Their latest report brings millennial and Gen Z perspectives to the table and includes recommendations for a vibrant transatlantic partnership.

Welcome to Year of the Water Tiger and the first edition of The Lookout for 2022 bringing you a global perspective on issues that matter.

Scientific studies increasingly confirm what human beings across cultures and throughout time have long recognised: we are wired for art. The arts in all of their modalities can improve our physical and mental health, amplify our ability to prevent, manage, or recover from disease challenges, enhance brain development in children, build more equitable communities, and foster wellbeing through multiple biological systems.

A far reaching conversation with a group of experts discussed the state of pure (basic) research in New Zealand co-chaired by Aaron Mertz, Director of Aspen Institute’s Science & Society Program and Christine Maiden Sharp, CEO of Aspen Institute New Zealand.

“Overall, New Zealand underspends and undervalues science & research. Pure science is vital to remain economically competitive and needs to be more inclusive and relevant, to increase trust and impact”.

Participants from diverse backgrounds, young and old, joined international experts from Singularity University, Google NZ and Massey University for MISINFORMATION CHALLENGES, Aspen’s fifth seminar in the Future Challenges: Systems thinking and Values based Leadership series, a two-day online event exploring misinformation issues in a year that has been dominated by pandemic induced fake news.

Graeme Acton, Asia Media Centre Manager said:

The level of debate was an extremely good combination of real world dynamics, academic thought leadership and insightful points of view from a varied group of people.

In the face of bad news, bad information compounds the damage. As we are overcome by uncertainty and very real unknowns regarding the pandemic, politics, war and natural disasters we encourage you to fully understand the scope of the disinformation challenge, but here are some steps you can take to prevent transmission.

Photo: On a footpath in Queenstown Aug 2021

Watch Rt. Hon Helen Clark discuss the findings and recommendations of the Independent Panel for Preparedness with Aspen partners, from six of the G7 countries responsible for funding the WHO, 'We have not even reached the zenith of this pandemic, not by a long way.'

On Thursday 10th December, we hosted a roundtable discussion with Nicholas Snyder, Political and Economic Counsellor, from the U.S. Embassy in Wellington on:

The future of United States relations with New Zealand, Asia and its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The US Ambassador to New Zealand, Scott Brown and his wife Gail-Huff Brown visited Queenstown on Friday 26th June and spent time with supporters of Aspen NZ.

This format lends itself magnificently to allowing us to learn from the unfettered opinions of others … which have challenged my perspectives, Student.

A nice balance of listening and speaking … touching on a wide range of thought-provoking aspects without getting bogged down. The calibre of participants was also key … from student to CEO, Managing Director.

Welcome to ‘A Moment of Clarity’ - our curation of views on the challenges posed by COVID-19 from global subject matter experts and the Aspen Institute’s International Network.

See the latest posts:

• Aspen Fellows: Changing geo-politics of energy post COVID world.

• Wired: Open source can play a pivotal role in fighting Covid-19.

A message from Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield, Washington DC.

Dear Friends,

One of the great lessons of history is that in moments of crisis, our communities sustain us. And since our founding, the Aspen Institute has been committed to not only the creation of a free, just, and equitable society, but to fostering strong communities among our many partners and friends. Indeed, the ways in which we connect with each other are at the heart of our work and our impact.

The statement below was released by members of the Aspen Ministers Forum on February 18, 2020. We are a group of former foreign ministers from around the world who met recently to discuss one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the deepening global environmental crisis. It is clear to us from these discussions that climate change, ecosystem degradation, and the excessive exploitation of natural resources are now threatening millions of species with extinction and jeopardizing the health of our planet.

The inaugural Aspen New Zealand Seminar titled ‘Leadership, Sustainability and the Good Society’ was held at Millbrook Resort earlier this month. Todd Breyfogle, the Aspen Institute’s Managing Director of the Executive Leadership Programme, moderated the sessions over four days which embodied classical, humanitarian and leadership issues as well as current tensions and consequences.

Sandy Mandic, Associate Professor at the University of Otago, shares her experience at the CityLab 2019 Convention in Washington, DC last month. Sandy was delighted to be nominated by the Aspen Institute New Zealand to attend.

AI is over 60 years old, but in the past five years, it has exploded into the news and major media. This seminar addressed the factors leading to the recent successes of AI and machine learning and provided examples of economic and medical opportunities, and the social risks associated with AI and privacy, autonomous systems, and potentially democratic institutions.