2012 Aspen ThinkXChange
The 2012 ThinkXChange is a program of Ascend, the Family Economic Security program at the Aspen Institute.
The Aspen ThinkXChange convened one hundred dynamic leaders from across sectors – from cutting-edge community-based programs, policy, academia, philanthropy, business, and media – to discuss and debate opportunities, challenges, and solutions for moving parents, especially women, and their children beyond poverty toward educational success and economic security. Download the complete program. Watch video on ascend.aspeninstitute.org
The Aspen Institute has a long history of bringing together values-based leaders to discuss big ideas that move our country and communities forward, from climate change to Middle East peace. We believe that growing inequality in the U.S. is a fundamental challenge to our democracy. However, periods of deep crisis can spur powerful innovation. We are on the cusp of new solutions, and the time is ripe to explore and elevate breakthrough ideas and proven strategies for building economic mobility for vulnerable families.
Bold Ideas Moving Toward Action: The Aspen ThinkXChange is a signature convening of Ascend at the Aspen Institute. The theme of the 2012 ThinkXChange is the power and potential of two-generation approaches, which focus on creating opportunities for and addressing the needs of both vulnerable parents and children together. The Aspen ThinkXChange will integrate panel discussions, interactive sessions, digital forums, and “big tent” plenary sessions. Key content will include the voices and narratives of low-income families; piloting, scale, and replication of promising models; federal and state policy opportunities; early childhood education; postsecondary education and the integration of economic supports; social capital; and metrics that capture improved outcomes for parents and children, return on investment, and/or “benefit-cost” analysis.
Participants and Partners: With a strong focus on new ways of doing business, the Aspen ThinkXChange is a powerful platform for innovators – both established and emerging – from across sectors to present breakthrough ideas, share case studies, understand promising practices and policies, and identify proven strategies to move families toward educational success and economic security. The Aspen Institute’s 2012 Ascend Fellows will play a leading role in session design and facilitation. Ascend is actively engaging strategic partners for collaborations that will elevate conversations from the Aspen ThinkXChange to a wider audience.
When and Where: The Aspen ThinkXChange will take place October 8-10, 2012, at the Aspen Institute’s campus in Aspen, Colorado.
The 2012 ThinkXChange is an invitation-only program of Ascend, the Family Economic Security program at the Aspen Institute.