Aspen Idea editor Sacha Z. Scoblic reports from ACT II

As Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and ALI Fellow Dele Olojede described his courageous—and even life-threatening—effort to establish the first truly free and accurate press in Nigeria, he looked toward the 160 leaders in the audience before him and paused: “I know now that whenever I am asked, ‘Who is behind you?’ I can say, ‘My fellow Fellows.’”

With the launch of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, something rather uncommon and even a touch magical happened: One had the very real sense that the people in that hall listening to Dele were themselves quiet visionaries, future presidents, or Nobel Peace Prize winners destined to shake up the world for the better. To see the most talented and accomplished leaders from Africa, Central America, India, the Middle East, and the United States shaking hands, laughing, and talking together in a kind of socially conscious fraternity was nothing short of inspirational. Plans were made to create jobs, spur business, spread literacy, stem global warming, and sow peace. “It’s not the next generation who are going to solve the problems of the world,” said Stephen DeBerry, a 2004 Henry Crown Fellow and venture capitalist from San Francisco. “It’s this generation. It’s the people in this room.”

As Ricardo Terán, McNulty Prize finalist and CALI Fellow, put it: “The Network expects excellence. It forces you to think about how you can do better, do more.” Ricardo left ACT II with the business card of a fellow Fellow, Ryan Coonerty, the mayor of Santa Cruz. They are collaborating on a hub to incubate small businesses and generate jobs for their respective regions. Like Ricardo and Ryan, attendees left ACT II wondering, What else can I be doing?

ACT II served to remind these 160 bright leaders from more than 40 countries across the planet that success was not good enough. More was expected of them; they had been called to action. Because if these stars didn’t change the world, who would?