Highlights From The "Globalization" Seminars
Fortunately for us, the formula of the "Leading in an Era of Globalization" seminars — the third in the series of four seminars that make up the formal Fellowship experience for the majority of the Aspen Global Leadership Network — is as simple as it is potent: bringing together Fellows from different backgrounds to exchange ideas, seek assistance, and build lasting relationships to create golden opportunities. The 2016/17 cycle of "Globalization" seminars wrapped up in March. Below we highlight some of the key elements that make these seminars a success.
The Mosaic of Fellows
"The diversity of the group was fantastic, and made the discussion much richer. I felt that people brought their authentic selves and really contributed accordingly."
Creating the right mix of Fellows in each cohort is integral to a successful experience. This year, 97 Fellows from 12 countries across five Fellowships participated in seminars held in San Jose, Costa Rica; Jaipur, India; Aspen, Colorado, and Stellenbosch, South Africa. 100% of Fellows thought the quality of participants at the table was good or excellent and 92% felt the diversity of perspectives represented at the table were also good or excellent.
The Costa Rica cohort taking a break from the seminar room to spend time in nature.
The India cohort on their way to explore the Amer Fort.
“The readings made me more aware that I was living in a bubble. I will strive to be conscious of other possibilities and reach out to those outside my bubble.”
So what was on the reading list this year? In addition to classics like Samuel Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations" and the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Fellows read more contemporary pieces that helped put current events into perspective. Nearly 90% of participants thought the assigned readings were good or excellent, with almost all participants agreeing that the moderators were successful in stimulating genuine conversation and deepening their knowledge of the texts.
Fellows around the seminar table in South Africa.
- Nathan Halverson's "How China Purchased a Prime Cut of America's Pork Industry"
- Glen Greenwald's "Brexit is Only the Latest Proof of the Insularity and Failure of Western Establishment Institutions."
- Farhad Manjoo's "Uber's Business Model Could Change Your Work"
- Eric Li's "From Renaissance to Renaissance"
- Malcom Gladwell's "Small Change: Why the revolution will not be tweeted"
Forming Relationships Across Fellowships
"The feedback that I got for my venture was invaluable and the fact that all of the Fellows I talked to would like to help me in any way they can makes me feel so supported."
Providing the time for Fellows to form trusting bonds is a key element to the success of any seminar. Because all Fellows come to the "Globalization" seminar having taken their "Challenge of Leadership" seminar and the Aspen executive seminar, they already start with a common vocabulary. We bridge the remaining gaps through team builders, small group work, and excursions throughout the week. At the end of the experience, nearly 100% of Fellows felt that their expectations of the seminar were exceeded or met.
Each seminar starts with a team building activity to help break the ice.
On excursions, Fellows get to learn more about their venue's local history and culture. Here, Fellows are learning more about Mandela's time in prison while on tour at Robben Island.
Central American Fellows making a couple of new friends at an elephant sanctuary in Jaipur.
- December 4 - 9, 2017, Aspen, Colorado
- January 8 - 13, 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- January 14 - 19, 2018, Charleston, South Carolina
- February 4 - 9, 2018, Panama City, Panama
- February 28 - March 5, 2018, New Delhi (Dandama Lake), India
- March 4 - 9, 2018, Hong Kong, China
E-mail Willow Darsie for more information.
Other Recent Posts
Explore upcoming opportunities to come back together with this community and continue the journey of fellowship. October 14-15, 2023 | Dubai, UAE AGLN Fellow Reunion in Dubai Fellows across the AGLN, especially those in China, India, Africa and the Middle East, have expressed a desire to reconnect with one another to build deeper bonds in a location ...
Charles Conn is a 2001 Henry Crown Fellow. He is co-founder of Monograph, a life sciences venture firm, and chair of Patagonia. Charles co-authored best-selling Bulletproof Problem Solving , and newly released The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times (Wiley 2023). Our Operating Context We live in a different world than the one ...
Together with the McNulty Foundation, we're excited to announce the Winners of the 2022 John P. McNulty Prize , three individuals who have leveraged their expertise, experience, and networks to build and lead transformative social impact ventures. Their transformative social ventures are striving to end malnutrition worldwide , sparking a ...
More than a year after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the American political landscape reflects the yawning divides highlighted on that violent day and reveals the extent to which extremist beliefs have become part of the mainstream. As the 2022 midterm election campaign kicks into high gear, I’m deeply concerned about the state of ...
Fellows across the network are tackling issues like good education, diversity on boards, cross-community dialogue and more. This Giving Season, we're excited to share causes close to the hearts of Fellows across our global community. Read below and consider giving or getting involved in these incredible organizations.
Leave a Comment