Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
A new year brings a new administration, and Americans might breathe a sigh of relief that democracy prevailed in the face of a deadly insurrection. Unfortunately, the challenges still to overcome remain as urgent as ever. Vaccine rollouts offer reasons for hope, yet COVID-19 continues to devastate lives and communities. Racism remains an open wound in our society. And far from settling the debate on what it means to be an American, the past election cycle has further exposed deep fissures in our politics and our identities. Calls to come together, however heartfelt, are only the first in a long line of steps towards reconciliation.
Progress is possible. In the first 2021 installment of In Focus, the Aspen Institute looks forward to solutions for today and tomorrow. How can we get help to those who need it now? What systemic fixes are needed to mend our ailing institutions? More fundamentally, how do we reach a consensus on what it means to be an American, or what America’s place in the world should be? And what are the responsibilities of our elected officials, our private sector, and leaders in our own communities to make this change happen?
Events
Centering Families In Policy Solutions In 2021 And Beyond
This fall, Ascend launched the Parents’ Voices 2020 Project, the next step in our longstanding effort to cut through the national noise and ask parents directly for their hopes, dreams, challenges, and solutions.
