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."

In this edition, we put In Focus sustainable trade and where New Zealand stands in global terms, an important issue with U.S. tariffs once again back on the table. 

Next, Leadership in Action features Aspen President and CEO, Dan Porterfield, reflecting on how to ignite leadership potential.

In Depth reports on the extraordinary Dunedin Study of 1032 babies since birth. In its 52nd year, with 90% still participating, the findings have had major impact on policy settings in New Zealand and so much more is yet to come. Read more…

In this edition, we examine the upcoming US election. In Focus explores strategies offered by leading scientists and engineers in Advice to the Next President. Next, Leadership in Action celebrates Aspen NZ alumni and staff, awarded scholarships to the 2024 Global Changemakers Workshop and Aspen International Partner's Collaboration with the Steven's Initiative. In Depth investigates the intersection of AI and national security, featuring original papers from international security experts. Read more…

We are excited to announce the Aspen NZ alumna scholarship recipient for the 2024 Global Changemakers Workshop, being held in Warsaw, in December this year.

In this edition, In Focus explores 10 Insights on the Future of ESG, a summary of the key take-aways from the 2024 Aspen ESG Summit, which highlights why ESG principles are a commercial imperative for businesses aiming to thrive long-term. Next, In Depth takes a closer look at the global impact of emerging trade dynamics between the US and China, examining a new report Does Geopolitics Now Determine Global Trade? And as AI continues to advance, Leadership in Action showcases a forward-thinking panel from this year's Aspen Ideas Health festival, where experts discuss How AI is Transforming Healthcare.

In this edition, In Focus delves into our forum on Sustainable Food Futures, highlighting opportunities for NZ and India to collaborate. Next, In Depth examines the Institute’s latest Science and Society report on Tactics for Trust, exploring the growing trust gap in science and strategies to rebuild it. Leadership in Action features the historic USD 185.7 million investment from the Bezos Family Foundation to establish the Centre for Rising Generations, dedicated to equipping young people with tools for civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership.

This week, the Institute announced the establishment of the Centre for Rising Generations, in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation. Made possible by an unprecedented investment of $185.7 million from the Foundation, the Centre will exist in perpetuity as a resource for youth, young adults, and those who support their development and leadership.

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!

The latest forum in our International Dialogue Series, co-hosted with Ananta Aspen Centre in India, addressed the critical issue of 'Sustainable Food Futures'. Aiming to strengthen the relationship between India and New Zealand, the forum leveraged our global network to explore innovative solutions and opportunities for cooperation between the two nations in agriculture and food security. Full forum replay available here.

In July’s edition, we put In Focus Summer in Aspen, where the Institute's flagship events showcase the best of what the Institute offers. In Depth delves into the Hinrich Foundation's recent report on Developing Global AI Governance for Foundational AI, which highlights the necessity and potential strategies for establishing comprehensive and robust global AI governance. Leadership in Action celebrates Women Leading the Way to a Brighter Climate Future, demonstrating their innovative approaches, commitment and leadership to a more sustainable future.

Todd Breyfogle, Executive Director of Seminars and Executive Leadership marks the 75th anniversary of the first Aspen convening, of what would become the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies in 1949.

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:

In this edition, we put In Focus the recent Socrates Seminar on The Future of Business, which served as an invaluable platform for engaging discussions and emphasised the imperative for strategic foresight and collaborative action in business. Leadership in Action celebrates Aspen moderator and University of Otago politics professor, Robert Patman, who received the prestigious 2024 Critic and Conscience of Society Award. Followed by In Depth, which examines the latest OECD Economic Survey of NZ.

In this edition, we put In Focus the recent Aspen International Committee Meeting in Mexico City. Leadership in Action celebrates local Aspen Alumni and distinguished international climate scientist, Jim Salinger, who was recently awarded the prestigious title of 2024 New Zealander of the Year. Followed by In Depth, which examines a fascinating report on Transatlantic Public Opinion and Ukraine, and the relevance of this in a year when over 64 countries hit the polls.