We are striving to emerge from the massive disruption and uncertainty of the last two years. A changed world awaits us: one full of new and historic systemic failures, a deepened divide of haves and have-nots, and a planet in crisis. It is also a world full of promise: where vaccines are created in months, heightened rifts are met with renewed calls for justice, and a ‘useful crisis’ presents a rare opening for brave action to challenge the status quo.

This moment of emergence brings us all - our families, businesses, governments, institutions, and global society - to an inflection point of critical importance. How do we make meaning of this moment together? What have we learned, what are we leaving behind, what must we make space for? Let us mourn our losses together, and then, let us take conscious steps towards what to do next. We have a choice of where to go from here.  And while we, the Aspen Global Leadership Network, do not presume to have the power to write the next chapter alone, this moment calls on each of us to seize fleeting opportunities to create a future of our making, with agency, urgency, and a moral compass as our core. 

What happens if we - as a global collective of leaders - intentionally move together? In nature, emergence occurs through the interconnectedness of all living systems, producing a whole far more powerful than the sum of its parts. As we return to the birthplace of the Aspen Institute for the 10th anniversary of the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, our community is being called to act. We gather in Aspen from July 27 - 30, 2022 to reframe, reimagine, and act with clarity lest we sit idly by.

In-person event registration is now closed. Join the conversation virtually during livestreams throughout the event. Leaders will be talking social impact, allyship, justice and how they're driving emerging solutions to our greatest challenges.

The Program

The Action Forum generates spaces and experiences to reflect, learn, engage, and act. It is a week dedicated to coming together as a community and recommitting to serving as values-based leaders. Each part of the program opens new doors to deepen your understanding of your leadership, gain support, and create or find pathways to take action on our most pressing issues.

The Youth Action Forum, a program for youth ages 10-18 consisting of classic, text-based seminar sessions, action-oriented workshops, and intergenerational dialogues, will also take place concurrently with the adult program. Learn more on the program. You can also share the Aspen experience with your spouse or partner by purchasing a spouse pass when you register yourself for the Action Forum.

In-person event registration is now closed. Join the conversation virtually during livestreams throughout the event. Leaders will be talking social impact, allyship, justice and how they're driving emerging solutions to our greatest challenges.

What to Expect

Seminar Dialogues ⬇️

Each day starts by getting grounded with classic seminar dialogues. With a curated mosaic of global leaders and Aspen Institute-trained moderators, you’ll take time to pause and gain new perspective. Asking the “big questions” will prepare you to engage and innovate in the day ahead.

Plenaries ⬇️

Plenaries will feature leaders sharing their own personal experiences and encouraging participants to continue to enact meaningful change in their communities and around the world. View plenary topics, themes, and speakers.

Impact Breakouts ⬇️

These topical sessions will focus on how to deepen our understanding, relationships, and come together to address today’s most pressing challenges with other Fellows, Aspen’s Policy Programs, and partners. Breakouts could include sessions on climate change, inclusive economies, pandemic relief, polarization, and more. Each will be anchored by 2-3 co-leads who are part of or lead existing efforts who will share pathways for how you might get involved. Learn more on topics and speakers.

Unconference Time ⬇️

Join other participants in the center of campus for open collaboration space meant to continue conversations and action planning. Attend or host your own informal meet-up and working sessions on topics and activities that inspire and excite you. Looking for partners on a specific issue? Feedback on your new venture idea? You can find others to connect with during unconference time.

Leadership Labs ⬇️

Leadership Labs will equip participants with not only specific skills, but also mindsets and perspectives to help catalyze impact and inform how they approach leadership and challenges. Learn more on leads and topics.      

DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT AGENDA

COVID-19 Health and Safety Information

The health and safety of participants and event staff is our highest priority and we will be monitoring the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic leading up to and during the event. Please note protocols are subject to change based on revised guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the local jurisdictions of Pitkin County in Aspen, CO. View the latest COVID-19 safety precautions on Health and Safety page. 

 

Once registered, a cancellation fee of $300 will be incurred until midnight ET, June 15, 2022. After this date, the full registration fee will be forfeited. Please reach out to Charlotte Lewis at charlotte.lewis@aspeninstitute.org with any concerns or questions you have about our cancellation policy.

We recognize that there are a lot of uncertainties at this time related to COVID-19 and related travel planning. If you would like to learn more about our policies or have specific questions about your individual situation, please reach out to Charlotte Lewis.

If you are unable to make it in person, we’re also excited to be livestreaming conversations throughout the event. Join by registering here.