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.

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.

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.