“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.

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. 

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.

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."

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.

As AI transforms industries and sparks global debate, a recent panel moderated by Aspen Institute NZ CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp, tackled the big question: is AI more hype or opportunity? Featuring expert insights from the University of Otago and Te Whai Ao Dodd-Walls Centre, the discussion explored AI’s impact on business, education, and policy, offering actionable advice for all.

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.